Susanna en de ouderlingen 1691 - 1733

Louis Surugue created this print of Susanna and the Elders sometime in the 18th century. The story of Susanna, found in the Book of Daniel, was a popular subject during this period. It allowed artists to explore themes of morality, voyeurism, and the vulnerability of women. Here, Susanna is depicted as a woman caught in a moment of distress and vulnerability as the elders try to expose her. The male gaze is made literal. Surugue's work participates in a history of representing women through a male, and often moralizing, lens. The print invites questions about the power dynamics at play, reflecting a patriarchal society where women's bodies were often subject to scrutiny and judgment. It's a potent reminder of the historical challenges women have faced in navigating societal expectations and male authority. How might we re-imagine this scene to empower Susanna, shifting the narrative from victimhood to agency?