Artwork

Susanna im Bade

Susanna im Bade, by Jacopo da Empoli, unspecified, 1600
Susanna im Bade, by Jacopo da Empoli, unspecified, 1600

Susanna im Bade is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jacopo da Empoli. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Jacopo da Empoli’s early‑17th‑century work, titled *Susanna im Bade*, is an oil painting dated to 1600. The canvas is part of the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. It presents a tranquil garden scene populated by three women and a small dog, rendered with a calm, domestic atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The composition draws on the biblical narrative of Susanna, yet the figures are portrayed in everyday activity rather than dramatic confrontation. The central woman, dressed in yellow, holds a green cloth; her companion in pink adjusts the fabric, while the figure in orange kneels with a basket of linens. The setting suggests themes of modesty and routine domesticity.

Technique & Style

Empoli employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, creating a subtle contrast between illuminated surfaces and shadowed foliage. The foliage and fountain are rendered with delicate brushwork, giving depth to the garden backdrop. The palette of warm hues—yellow, pink, orange—harmonizes with the verdant surroundings, emphasizing the painting’s serene mood.

History & Provenance

Created around the turn of the 17th century, the work entered the holdings of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display. Its acquisition history is documented through museum records, confirming its attribution to Jacopo da Empoli and its dating to 1600.

Context

Jacopo da Empoli, active in Florence, was known for integrating religious subjects with genre‑like details. This painting reflects the Counter‑Reformation’s interest in modest, morally instructive scenes, while also showcasing the artist’s skill in portraying everyday life within a sacred narrative framework.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jacopo da Empoli

Artist

Jacopo da Empoli

Jacopo da Empoli, also known as Jacopo Chimenti, was an Italian Florentine Reformist painter.