Who painted Susanna and the Elders?

Susanna and the Elders was painted by Philip van Dijk in 1724.

Where can I see Susanna and the Elders?

Susanna and the Elders is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Susanna and the Elders?

Susanna and the Elders is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Susanna and the Elders

Philip van Dijk , 1724

Susanna and the Elders is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Philip van Dijk. It dates from 1724 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Philip van Dijk’s 1724 oil painting, titled *Susanna and the Elders*, presents a biblical episode in which a young woman is confronted by two older men. The work is part of the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst and measures the tension of the narrative through compositional arrangement and light.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows Susanna seated on the ground, modestly covering her chest while a cloth shields her lower body. Two elders stand behind her, one extending a hand toward her. The composition captures the moment of vulnerability and accusation that defines the biblical story, emphasizing Susanna’s distress and the men’s intrusive gaze.

Technique & Style

Van Dijk employs a restrained palette and chiaroscuro, with a light source entering from the right that illuminates Susanna’s form against a darker background of trees and a stone wall. The figures are rendered with a smooth, academic finish typical of early‑18th‑century Dutch painting, highlighting anatomical detail and drapery.

History & Provenance

Executed in 1724, the canvas entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on display. No record of earlier ownership or commissions is documented in the museum’s catalogue.

Context

The subject derives from the Book of Daniel, a popular moral tale in Baroque art that warned against false accusations and the abuse of power. Van Dijk’s treatment aligns with contemporary Dutch interpretations, focusing on psychological tension rather than overt dramatization.