Susanna und die beiden Alten,

um 1622/23

Material / Technology / Carrier

Leinwand

Dimensions of the object

194 x 144 cm

Displayed

AP OG Saal VI

Department

Flämische Malerei

Genre

Malerei

Inventory number

595

Acquisition

1806 aus der Galerie Düsseldorf

Stock

Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München

Citation

Anthonis van Dyck, Susanna und die beiden Alten, um 1622/23, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München, URL: https://www.sammlung.pinakothek.de/en/artwork/8eGVjjBGWQ (Last updated on 26.05.2023)

That, which the Bible (Daniel 13) describes in great detail, is here in this painting compacted into a few gestures and glances: Susanna's fright, the lecherousness of the elders, a spider-like hand that touches her, causing her to shudder, the threatening gesture and false severity of the younger man, who tries to snatch off the cloth covering her nakedness. Van Dyck reveals his great talent as a storyteller with a psychological propensity: He seems to be able to empathize both with the masculine and feminine side of the situation.