Susanna and the Elders, 128x89cm, oil on canvas

The work is attributed to Pieter de Grebber, a Dutch painter who came from a family of Catholic artists. The father, Frans de Grebber, was a painter and embroiderer from Haarlem who taught Pieter and his siblings the fundamentals of painting. The artist was inspired by Rubens, Rembradt and by Utretcht artists who were themselves inspired by Caravaggio. Unlike the others though, he had a strong personal style, so much so that he is recognised as the forerunner of “Haarlem Classicism”.

In this work of art we can see certain features of Guido Reni Classicism, where the woman is seen as the highest example of moral virtue, though without neglecting the erotic elements that reflect the voyeurism of the period. The subject of Susanna bathing, avoiding the elders’ traps, was popular during the 17th century, for the magnificence of the female nude and the emotionality of the scene. The woman, who turns her head away from the two evil elders and looks up to the sky, seems to be searching for a divine sign to help her.

The man with the turban attracts her attention, putting his arms around her, whilst the second, a devious expression on his face, caresses the woman’s ivory skin. The white fabric hugs Susanna’s body who, rejecting the men’s advances, will be accused of adultery and condemned to death by stoning. Susanna will be let off thanks to Daniel who interrogates each elder separately, reversing the situation and condemning both men to death. The character of Susanna represents the first iconic strong woman, victorious over her enemies thanks to her virtues of force and courage.

Condition report available on request