The artwork, titled “Susanna and the Elders,” was created by Guercino in 1617. Executed in oil on canvas, this piece is aligned with the Baroque art movement and falls under the genre of religious painting. It is currently housed in the Parma National Gallery in Parma, Italy.
In the artwork, Guercino masterfully depicts the biblical story of Susanna, who is shown in a vulnerable state as she is confronted by two intrusive elders. The composition makes use of dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, characteristic of Baroque art, to highlight the tension and emotional intensity of the scene. The play of light on Susanna’s bare skin creates a striking visual focal point, while the surrounding darkness engulfs the sinister figures of the elders, emphasizing their menacing intentions. The overall mood is one of foreboding, capturing the precariousness of Susanna’s situation and the moral underlying the narrative.
