Susanna 1583 - 1596

Editor: Here we have "Susanna," a drawing in pen and pencil from somewhere between 1583 and 1596. It looks like two separate scenes have been put together, and the damage to the paper really impacts how you perceive it. How should we approach understanding a piece like this? Curator: Let's focus on the ovoid composition. Notice the distinct break visually dividing the image plane. This is not a singular, unified perspective; rather, it seems to present us with dual viewpoints, perhaps suggesting differing perspectives on a single event. Editor: So the fragmentation is key? Curator: Precisely. Examine the upper register: a figure appears immersed, gazing upwards. The rendering is rather turbulent, isn't it? In contrast, the lower portion presents a different treatment of the figure. The linework there feels tighter, more controlled. Note the play of light and shadow creating a sense of volume and depth. What differences in technique or execution do you see here? Editor: The use of shadow is indeed very different. In the lower portion the artist uses more hatching to create darker tones, which gives depth to the drapery around the figure. Up top, the rendering seems more gestural. Curator: Precisely. Consider then how these stylistic disparities may underscore narrative tensions within the composition. Does the physical disruption to the sheet echo deeper structural oppositions within the imagery? Editor: That makes a lot of sense. The break enhances that feeling of being disconnected, both in time and place. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: My pleasure. Always start with what’s directly in front of you—the line, the form, the tangible object itself.