Susanna en de ouderlingen 1570

Curator: Looking at this engraving from 1570, "Susanna and the Elders" by Abraham de Bruyn, now housed at the Rijksmuseum, the scene appears fraught with tension. The fine lines create a detailed depiction of Susanna being accosted. What's your first take? Editor: The density of line work is what first strikes me, it's so busy it makes me uncomfortable! The almost frantic scratching away at the metal plate mimics the feeling of Susanna being trapped, crowded by these two old men. I notice a latin inscription at the bottom, what do we know about that? Curator: Yes, the density contributes significantly to the oppressive mood. The inscription reads: "Surrounded by deceit, she desires to preserve her chastity by death, struggling against the powerful hand.” It underlines the struggle between virtue and malicious intent. The scene references the story of Susanna from the Book of Daniel, where she is spied upon by the elders while bathing. Their lust leads to false accusation. Editor: You can really see the contrast of power dynamics within this relatively small engraving, emphasizing labor and skill. Someone physically etched away material on this plate for every tiny line in the composition, a process of many repetitive actions to deliver its visual and textual meaning. To think of its dissemination also highlights that it would have been widely distributed on paper. The physical production and reproduction gives it a different dimension for understanding audiences from centuries ago. Curator: Indeed, and that act of dissemination, makes it even more of a tool for transmitting the allegory—the danger posed to female virtue and, more broadly, innocence threatened by corruption. The composition uses classic symbols. Susanna's nudity signifying vulnerability, contrasting with the elders who loom over her as the picture of corruption and abusive authority. The surrounding garden initially might seem idyllic but then it entraps her. The visual encoding really strengthens this. Editor: It makes you wonder about the engraver's position doesn't it? He chose to reproduce and profit from this scene but also has his own interpretation to bear upon the process of reproduction itself. It's worth also considering the economics of printmaking during the period. How did the choices in medium, image selection, composition affect De Bruyn's daily work? Curator: Absolutely. Thinking about that transmission adds more dimension to its meaning—we see a drama captured and recreated and disseminated—making the warning echo through generations. It is fascinating. Editor: Yes, absolutely. Reflecting on this image, its materiality and story intertwined remind me to stay curious about both what the artist presents and the labor behind it.