Artwork
Susanna and the Elders
Susanna and the Elders is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Cornelis Schut. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
About this work
Overview
Cornelis Schut, a Flemish artist working in Antwerp in the early 1600s, painted a work titled Susanna and the Elders circa 1650. Executed in oil, the composition is now held by the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium and illustrates a well‑known biblical episode.
Subject & Meaning
The scene portrays the moment from the Book of Daniel when Susanna, clothed in a white garment, is confronted by two older men who attempt to coerce her. Her expression combines fear and revulsion as she resists, while the elders display a mixture of surprise and desire, emphasizing the moral tension of the narrative.
Technique & Style
Schut employs a High‑Baroque visual language, using strong chiaroscuro to model the figures against a dark, shadowy backdrop. The contrast between the luminous white robe and the elders’ somber attire heightens the drama, while the deep shadows create a sense of volume and three‑dimensional space.
History & Provenance
Trained in the workshop of Peter Paul Rubens and later influenced by Italian art, Schut specialized in religious and mythological subjects. Susanna and the Elders entered the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium’s collection, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Flemish Baroque holdings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Schut (13 May 1597 – 29 April 1655) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman, engraver and tapestry designer who specialized in religious and mythological scenes.
Museum
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
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