Susannah Suprised by the Elders

Susannah Suprised by the Elders

Annibale Carracci

1550

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting depicts a scene of Susannah, a woman, being surprised by two elderly men while she is bathing. The woman is shown in a natural setting, surrounded by trees and foliage, and is depicted in a state of undress. The two men are shown peering at her from behind a wall or fence, their faces filled with lust and desire. The painting is rendered in a realistic style, with attention to detail and texture. The use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figure of Susannah. The overall mood of the painting is one of tension and drama, as the viewer is left to wonder what will happen next. If you're interested in learning more about the artist behind this painting, you might want to look up Carracci, Annibale.

More by Annibale Carracci

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app