Innocence of Susanna
Baroque
1621
175.0 x 211.0 cm
Accused by two would-be rapists of having had an illicit affair, the beautiful Susanna is brought before the young Daniel to be judged. He trips up the accusers with his questions. Valentin makes us witnesses of the turn of events leading to Susanna’s vindication. She is accompanied by her two bewildered children. Valentin again shows his independence by choosing this psychologically complex subject rather than the popular, erotically charged one of the two lechers propositioning her while she bathed.The picture belonged to the German collector Everhard Jabach, who sold it to Louis XIV; it decorated the paintings cabinet at Versailles.
Valentin de Boulogne (1591 – 1632)
Explore Valentin de Boulogne’s tenebrist paintings! French artist known for dramatic light & dark contrasts, Caravaggio influence, & scenes of fortune-telling.
About this artwork
- Title: Innocence of Susanna
- Artist: Valentin de Boulogne
- Year: 1621
- Original dimensions: 175.0 x 211.0 cm
- Format: Landscape
- Copyright status: Public domain
- Movement: Baroque
- Corpus context: religious judgment & virtue, de boulogne's dramatic style
- Keywords: 17th century art, biblical art, classical painting
- Color hue: Golden Yellow Range
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