Susanna en de ouderlingen 1761 - 1804

Here is your audio guide script: Jörg Breu de Jonge created this print, Susanna and the Elders, which presents a tense encounter within a lush, enclosed garden. Immediately, the sharp contrast between the dark, looming figures of the elders and the luminous, vulnerable Susanna catches the eye. The composition, structured by architectural elements like the garden wall and the bathing area, frames Susanna as the focal point. The artist has used the formal structure of this image to explore themes of voyeurism and power. The elders' dark forms loom over Susanna, illustrating how the structure can reflect power dynamics. Semiotically, the enclosed garden is a symbol of both privacy and vulnerability, highlighting the complex interplay between exposure and protection. The structure of this artwork not only tells a story but also invites us to consider the underlying power structures at play. Ultimately, the formal arrangement of figures and space emphasizes how perception is actively structured by social and cultural contexts. This visual framework forces us to question how we interpret scenes of privacy and power.