Getty Museum
Susannah and the Elders
Creator
Johann Carl LothGerman Artist · 1632–1698
All works by this person →Johann Carl Loth apprenticed under his father, Bavarian court painter Johann Ulrich Loth, who had been deeply influenced by Roman painting of the 1600s. Johann Carl himself went to Rome at some point after 1653. By 1656 he was in Venice, where he remained for life and became one of the most well known Venetian painters of his day. In Venice, Loth worked under Giovanni Battista Langetti, a follower
More on Getty ULAN- Date
- fourth quarter of 17th century
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Culture
- German
- Department
- Paintings
- Institution
- Getty Museum
Two lascivious Jewish judges lean over a voluptuous nude female, bullying Susannah, the pretty and God-fearing wife of a rich and prominent Jew, as she bathes. Though she had thought she was hidden, these elders of the community had spied on her and entered her husband's private garden. She shies away in modesty, refusing their desires despite their threats to accuse her of adultery. When they later brought Susannah to trial, the young prophet Daniel proved her innocence, and her false accusers were sentenced to death in her place. Johann Carl Loth emphasized the contrast between the characters, depicting Susannah in the bright light of day, while the elders lurk in the shadows. Bold colors and chiaroscuro> further intensify the drama of the scene.
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