Susanna and the Elders, from Cabinet Reynst c. 1655 - 1658

Cornelis Visscher created this print, "Susanna and the Elders," in the Netherlands sometime in the mid-17th century. It's a scene lifted from the Book of Daniel, telling the story of a woman caught bathing by two lecherous old men. The image is more than just a biblical illustration, though. It’s a product of a culture grappling with morality, power, and gender. Visscher’s Susanna, while ostensibly the victim, is presented with a sensuality that invites the viewer's gaze. The elders are grotesque, yet their power lies in their social standing. This reflects the patriarchal structures of the time, where women's bodies were often the subject of male scrutiny and judgment. Understanding this print requires us to delve into the social dynamics of the Dutch Golden Age. We can research legal and religious texts, moralistic literature, and even the biographies of figures involved in the art world at the time. What we see in the artwork depends on what we know about the world that created it.