Susannah and the Elders
(Baroque Europe )
The biblical book of Daniel tells of Susanna, a married woman who is spied upon by two old judges while bathing in her garden. They attempt to force themselves upon her, saying that if she does not submit, they will accuse her of adultery. With Daniel's assistance, Susanna's innocence is established, and the two elders are put to death.
This painting depicts the unhappy woman as she tries to escape the advances and gazes of the men. The focus on her body testifies to her innocence and virtue, as truth was often symbolized by a nude woman, but was also meant to appeal to male patrons. The soft, luminous coloring is characteristic of the late Roman baroque style.
For more information on this painting, please see Federico Zeri's 1976 catalogue no. 334, pp. 459-460.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Don Marcello Massarenti Collection, Rome [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [1881 catalogue: no. 211; 1897 catalogue: no. 216, as Cagnacci]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1902, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
1997-1998 | Hot Dry Men, Cold Wet Women: The Theory for Humors in Western European Art, 1575-1700. Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha; Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota. |
1995-1996 | Going for Baroque. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
1993 | Hot, Dry Men; Cold, Wet Women. Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown. |
Conservation
Date | Description | Narrative |
---|---|---|
4/9/1984 | Treatment | other |
Geographies
Italy, Rome (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Painted surface H: 26 1/2 x W: 32 1/8 in. (67.3 x 81.6 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters with the Massarenti Collection, 1902
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
37.1880