Susanna en de ouderlingen 1645 - 1646

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut of Susanna and the Elders. Susanna, spied on by elders while bathing, is a popular subject in art history. In the context of the 17th century Netherlands, this biblical scene takes on added layers of meaning. The Dutch Republic, a newly formed nation, was grappling with questions of morality, privacy, and civic virtue. Van Sichem's print subtly comments on these themes, with the voyeuristic gaze of the elders juxtaposed against the intimate vulnerability of Susanna. It’s worth noting that Sichem was working during the rise of print culture, and prints like this would have been widely circulated among the middle classes. The print then becomes a kind of social commentary, inviting viewers to reflect on their own values. To delve deeper into the history of this image, scholars might consult period sermons and legal documents, offering a richer understanding of the moral landscape of the Dutch Golden Age.