Susanna and the Elders by Attributed to Jacob Ernst Thomann von Hagelstein

In the tranquil grounds of a stately building, an unsettling scene is playing out. A partially clothed woman is seated between two men, their extravagant costumes forging a striking contrast with her vulnerable state of undress. This history painting tells the apocryphal Bible story of Susanna, a young woman accosted by two elders who threaten to accuse her of adultery if she refuses to consent to their advances. Here, Susanna is caught off guard as she disrobes before bathing, her foot just about to enter the water. With one hand she attempts to preserve her modesty, while she attempts to repel the seated man with the other. The richly clothed standing figure gesticulates while he outlines Susanna’s impossible choice.

The subject of ‘Susanna and the Elders’ was popular among artists and collectors because it offered the opportunity to depict the female nude, within the bounds of a well-known story. The painting is attributed to the German artist, Jacob Ernst Thomann von Hagelstein (1588-1653), who was also an engraver. The precision that can be achieved through engraving can also be seen in the delicacy of this painting on copper. The smooth surface is ideal for fine detail, notably in the feathered leaves of the tree and the glass-like globes of grapes that shine in the background. Light bounces from the glass wine carafe placed at the water’s edge, and shimmers on the silks worn by the men. Copper also adds a rich intensity to the paint colour, most striking here in the man’s bold red stockings and garter that amplify his looming presence. Although small in scale, the scene is full of texture and detail.