Artwork
Susanna and the Elders
Susanna and the Elders is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1653 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows the biblical episode of Susanna and the Elders, a moment when the young Susanna is observed while bathing.
The painting shows the biblical episode of Susanna and the Elders, a moment when the young Susanna is observed while bathing. The composition includes Susanna, two elderly men, a dog, and a pearl, all drawn from the narrative in the Book of Daniel. The dog and pearl function as symbols of fidelity and purity, while the elders represent intrusive judgment.
Rendered in oil on canvas in 1653 by Jacob Jordaens, the work belongs to the religious genre and was created for the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. Its meaning lies in a moral warning about virtue under scrutiny.
History & Provenance
The painting Susanna and the Elders was executed by Jacob Jordaens in 1653 as an oil on canvas measuring approximately 153.5 cm by 203 cm. While no record of a specific commission survives, the work exemplifies Jordaens’ mature religious style from the early 1650s. It entered the holdings of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it remains today as part of the museum’s permanent collection. Prior to its acquisition by the museum, the painting’s earlier ownership is not documented in the available sources.
Jacob Jordaens' 1653 oil painting Susanna and the Elders is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen. The artwork, executed on canvas, measures 153.5 cm in height and 203 cm in width. While the specific inventory or accession number is not detailed in the provided records, the museum maintains the piece as part of its permanent holdings of religious art depicting the biblical narrative of Susanna.
The work has been identified within the museum's collection under the subject matter of Susanna, the elders, and associated iconography such as bathing scenes and pearls.
Overview
Jacob Jordaens, a prominent 17th-century Flemish artist, completed Susanna and the Elders in 1653. This oil painting exemplifies the Flemish Baroque style, depicting a scene from the biblical book of Daniel. It portrays the moment Susanna is observed by two older men while bathing, a narrative often explored in art for its themes of virtue and transgression. The work is part of the collection at the Statens Museum for Kunst.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, Susanna and the Elders showcases the robust characteristics of the Flemish Baroque. Jordaens employs a rich palette and detailed brushwork to render luxurious textiles, gilded accents, and a dramatic composition. The artist's skill in depicting human figures and their expressions, along with the interplay of light and shadow, creates a powerful visual narrative, reflecting his mastery of the period's dominant artistic trends despite not having studied abroad.
Context
Jacob Jordaens established himself as a leading figure in Flemish painting during the 17th century, particularly after the passing of his contemporaries Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck. His artistic output spanned a variety of subjects, including biblical stories, mythological narratives, and everyday genre scenes. This painting demonstrates his consistent engagement with religious themes, a common practice for artists of his era seeking commissions and moral instruction through art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques (Jacob) Jordaens (19 May 1593 – 18 October 1678) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and a designer of tapestries and prints.
The Holy Family with Shepherds
The Holy Family with Saint Anne and the Young Baptist and His Parents
Untitled
Apollo as Victor over Pan
The Betrayal of Christ
Portrait of the artist with his family
The Tribute Money. Peter Finding the Silver Coin in the Mouth of the Fish. Also called "The Ferry Boat to Antwerp"
The Betrayal and Arrest of Christ in Gethsemane
