Bidspirit auction | Roman Master 17th century

Roman Master 17th century - Susanna and the Elders – Roman Master 17th century. This 17th-century Roman composition illustrates the biblical narrative of Susanna and the Elders, a central theme in Baroque art used to explore psychological tension and moral contrast. The scene is structured around a dramatic triangular arrangement, focusing on the vulnerability of Susanna against the intrusive presence of the two figures emerging from the shadows. Technically, the work is a sophisticated study in chiaroscuro, characteristic of the Roman Seicento. The artist employs robust modeling to define the figures, influenced by the naturalism of Caravaggio’s followers and the formal clarity of the Carracci school. The porcelain-like flesh tones of Susanna are contrasted with the heavy, textured drapery of the elders, rendered in deep ochre and madder-red pigments. This interplay of light and shadow serves as a visual meditation on the juxtaposition of youth and age, emphasizing the emotional gravity inherent in the Counter-Reformation aesthetic. Oil on canvas , 112 x 144 cm Dimensions 112 x 144