Artwork
Susanna und die beiden Alten
Susanna und die beiden Alten is an oil painting by the High Baroque Italian artist Martino Altomonte. It dates from 1709 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Susanna und die beiden Alten is a 1709 oil painting by Martino Altomonte, an artist of Austrian descent working in the Italian Baroque style.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a scene with three figures: a half-dressed woman and two men, one in a red robe, in a rocky outdoor setting. The composition is likely based on the biblical story of Susanna and the Elders, a common subject in Baroque art.
Technique & Style
Altomonte employed chiaroscuro, using soft lighting to create a sense of depth and highlight the woman's skin against the darker surroundings. The artist's use of contrasting brushstrokes, smooth for the woman's skin and rougher for the men's clothes and beards, adds to the visual tension.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum's collection. Altomonte, also known as Johann Martin Hohenberg, primarily worked in Poland and Austria, producing works that reflect his connection to the High Baroque Italian movement.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Martino Altomonte, born Johann Martin Hohenberg (8 May 1657 – 14 September 1745) was an Italian Baroque painter of Austrian descent who mainly worked in Poland and Austria.
