Susanna and the Elders 

Sebald Beham rendered Susanna and the Elders in ink with white heightening on blue paper in the 16th century. The composition centers around the pale figure of Susanna, framed dramatically by the darker, looming figures of the elders. The artist plays with the tension between light and shadow to emphasize Susanna's vulnerability. Beham’s work here delves into the underlying power structures of perception and representation. Susanna's nudity, rendered with delicate lines, becomes a focal point within a narrative of voyeurism and male dominance. The elders, shrouded in heavy robes, symbolize the oppressive gaze and authority. This dynamic challenges the viewer to consider how the act of looking can be an exercise of power. Note the strategic use of line and form to amplify the psychological weight of the scene. It encourages ongoing interpretation about the dynamics of power, desire, and moral judgment.