1525
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Susanna and the Elders is a 1525 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a tense scene with three figures: two older men in robes lurking behind a curtain, and a young woman standing in front of them. The woman holds her clothes, looking nervous. The men seem to be peeking at her from behind the fabric. The background is dark with a few vague shapes, like a statue and some steps. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show movement and emotion. The blue background makes the figures stand out, and the white highlights add detail to their faces and clothes. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
See the richer artist page
![Jacob and Rebecca before Isaac [recto]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/5393ee8d0dceb48c/thumb.webp)
