Susanna and the Elders c. 1700

Johann Michael Rottmayr made this red chalk drawing of Susanna and the Elders. It captures a biblical scene laden with themes of voyeurism, false accusation, and female virtue, ideas that resonated strongly in the social and cultural context of 17th and 18th century Europe. Rottmayr’s depiction emphasizes the dramatic tension of the encounter. The leering elders corner the terrified Susanna. The loose sketch conveys a sense of immediacy, drawing the viewer into the scene. The artist likely intended it as a preparatory study for a larger painting, which was a common practice in the institutionalised art world that Rottmayr inhabited. Susanna’s story allowed artists in that period to explore themes of power, morality, and the gaze. The tale was often invoked in legal and theological debates about sexual misconduct. Analysing sketches like this one helps us to better understand the social function of art at the time.