Artwork
Susanna and the Elders
Susanna and the Elders is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Lorenzo Lotto. It dates from 1517 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.
About this work
It shows a biblical story about Susanna, though the picture itself is not described here.
Susanna and the Elders is a painting by Lorenzo Lotto, made around 1517. It was created with oil paint on a wooden panel.
The work belongs to the Italian Renaissance period. It shows a biblical story about Susanna, though the picture itself is not described here. Lotto often used careful detail and a calm mood in his early works. The panel size is modest, fitting well in a domestic setting.
The painting is part
Overview
Lorenzo Lotto’s *Susanna and the Elders* is an oil painting executed on a wooden panel around 1517. The work measures modestly, suggesting it was intended for a private interior rather than a public altar. Today it forms part of the collection of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, where it is displayed among other Renaissance pieces.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts the biblical episode from the Book of Daniel in which the virtuous Susanna is accosted by two lecherous elders while bathing. The narrative, often employed to explore themes of chastity and injustice, is rendered here with a restrained tone, emphasizing Susanna’s composure amid the elders’ intrusive presence.
Technique & Style
Lotto employs oil on panel, a medium that allows for fine modelling of flesh and fabric. His early‑Renaissance approach is evident in the careful rendering of textures and the calm, balanced arrangement of figures. The palette is subdued, and the lighting is soft, contributing to the intimate atmosphere of the scene.
History & Provenance
Created in the early 1510s, the painting reflects Lotto’s activity in northern Italy before his later moves to Venice and the Marche. It entered the Uffizi’s holdings through a series of acquisitions in the 18th and 19th centuries, where it has remained a representative example of Lotto’s narrative oeuvre.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Lorenzo Lotto (c. 1480 – 1556/57) was an Italian Renaissance painter, draughtsman, and illustrator, traditionally placed in the Venetian school, though much of his career was spent in other north Italian cities. He…
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