Artwork
Roundel with Susanna Led to Judgement
Roundel with Susanna Led to Judgement is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as part of their permanent holdings.
The roundel depicting Susanna Led to Judgement was created in 1510. While the specific patron who commissioned the work and the detailed ownership chain prior to its current location remain undocumented in the available records, the piece is classified as an anonymous painting. It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as part of their permanent holdings.
Context
The roundel, dated to 1510 and classified as a painting, exemplifies early sixteenth‑century European art through its biblical subject and compositional focus on a woman and a man. Its attribution to an anonymous hand and inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection have prompted scholarly discussion of its stylistic relationship to contemporary workshops, situating it within the broader context of anonymous workshop production of the period. The work's preservation and display highlight its significance as a representative example of narrative roundels that conveyed moral lessons, contributing to our understanding of visual storytelling in the era.
Overview
This circular painting, titled "Roundel with Susanna Led to Judgement," depicts a pivotal moment from the biblical narrative of Susanna. Six figures are arranged before a stone architectural backdrop, likely representing a civic or religious structure. The artwork is characterized by a subdued palette of gold, white, and gray, subtly enlivened by details in red and blue, focusing the viewer's attention on the central dramatic interaction.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork illustrates the story of Susanna, an innocent woman falsely accused by two elders, as she is brought before a tribunal. Her serene expression, despite the gravity of the situation, contrasts with the more agitated postures of the surrounding figures. The presence of a scroll, possibly representing legal documentation, and a baby held by another woman, underscores the themes of justice, accusation, and the vulnerability of the accused.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a focused composition within the round format, drawing the eye to the central group. The color scheme is largely restrained, utilizing gold, white, and gray to establish a somber atmosphere, with sparing use of red and blue to highlight specific elements. The depiction emphasizes the psychological tension among the figures, particularly through their varied stances and the calm demeanor of Susanna amidst the unfolding drama.
Artist & collection
- Roundel with Susanna In Judgement
Roundel with Justice
Roundel with Mordecai Overhearing the Conspirators
Roundel with Judgment or Allegorical Scene
Roundel with Return of the Prodigal Son
Roundel with the Blinding of Tobit (from a Series)
Roundel with the Baptism of Christ
Roundel with Christ and Zacchaeus
Roundel with the Adoration of the Magi
Roundel with the Blinding of Zaleucus of Locria
Roundel with Virgin and Child and a Carmelite Donatrix
Roundel with Christ Taking Leave of His Mother
