Description of the painting by Rembrandt Harmens vann Rijn “Susanna and the Elders”

Description of the painting by Rembrandt Harmens vann Rijn Susanna and the Elders

This is an ancient history, as old as the world, but it is no less relevant today. Beauty Susanna was so charming and beautiful that she unwittingly seduced two elders. Then one day, when the beauty went to bathe, two elders came out of the darkness and tried to force her to go to their bed. But she certainly did not agree to this. Then the elders decided to call the guard and bear false witness to the girl. But then St. Daniel intervened in this matter and did not allow them to commit their mean evil deed.

Rembrandt did not show the ending of the legend on the canvas, he showed exactly the moment when the elders decided to attack. One of them, as we see, even managed to tear the white cape from the girl. But the girl herself is not discouraged, rather in anger and a little puzzled, because she does not know how to get rid of the old boyfriends so that later she would not be ashamed.

Please note that almost the entire

canvas is dark – a bright spot stands out only for the girl’s figure and there is another bright spot – a red cape or dress, which is located just behind the girl. Actually there all her clothes: underwear, dress, flip flops. Yes, and the elders themselves, although fascinated by the maiden, but still afraid to be ashamed, and therefore still a little decisive. In any case, the second elder is not in a hurry to help the first, he is cautious. Though the fruit is sweet and too tough, that’s why you want and prick. Although if you think about it, you could concede… But then the legend would not have happened.

The canvas is full of drama, in fact, like all the paintings of the artist. Suffice it to recall how dramatic is his picture of the prodigal son. By the way, is also a biblical story, as is the case with Susanna. But if the latter is controversial with believers, then that’s just the truth about the prodigal son and this legend is still very popular.


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Description of the painting by Rembrandt Harmens vann Rijn “Susanna and the Elders”