Susanna’s Bathing

Even in the Renaissance there is intensive discussion about the eroticising effect of this painting. Susanna, the subject of many voyeuristic paintings in the 16th and 17th century, comes from the Old Testament Book of David. This beautiful, chaste woman is the wife of Joakim. Among his regular house guests are 2 prominent judges who fall in love with Susanna. When she rejects their advances the 2 elders accuse her of adultery and she is sentenced to death. She is saved on account of Daniel’s inspired idea to have them questioned separately. Inconsistencies in their statements confirm Susanna’s innocence.