Artwork
Susanna and the Elders
Susanna and the Elders is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Godfried Schalcken. It dates from 1692 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Godfried Schalcken, a Dutch painter associated with the fijnschilder movement of Leiden, executed the oil painting *Sususa and the Elders* in 1692. The work belongs to the museum collection of Statens Museum for Kunst and presents a nocturnal scene rendered with meticulous attention to light and shadow.
Subject & Meaning
The composition illustrates the biblical episode in which Susanna, a woman noted for her chastity, is observed while bathing by two older men. The narrative, frequently revisited by European artists, underscores themes of voyeurism, moral integrity and the tension between innocence and corruption.
Technique & Style
Schalcken applies the chiaroscuro technique characteristic of the Flemish Baroque, allowing a single candle‑like source to illuminate Susanna’s face and arms against a deep, enveloping darkness. The subtle gradations of tone and the precise rendering of textures reflect the refined approach of the Leiden fijnschilders, who emphasized fine detail and controlled lighting.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in the late seventeenth century, the painting has been part of the holdings of Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst. Its documented presence in the museum’s collection confirms its status as a representative example of Schalcken’s nocturnal genre works.
Artist & collection
Artist
Godfried Schalcken (8 October 1643 – 16 November 1706) was a Dutch artist who specialized in genre paintings and portraits.
