The magpie
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The magpie

A magpie sits on a branch above Susanna’s head. It’s the only being in the picture that looks out at us. Its head is turned as though it has noticed someone behind it, maybe us. In Tintoretto’s time, killing a magpie is believed to bring misfortune in France and Germany.

The birds are also accredited with warning us of the presence of foxes, wolves and other, armed humans. Is Susanna being warned about the two elders? In Greek mythology the magpie is attributed to Dionysus, God of wine and losing your inhibitions. Does it then refer to the men losing theirs?

Magpies stand too for defamation, the poisoned tongue. So the bird could also represent the defamation of Susanna by the two men.

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