(Bologna 1575–1642)
Susanna and the Elders,
oil on canvas, 118 x 148 cm, unframed

The present painting relates to a composition by Guido Reni, originally in Palazzo Lancellotti, Rome and now in the National Gallery, London which has been dated to 1620–23. It is possible that Reni himself repeated the composition and certainly several workshop versions of the same subject are known. A version of the present composition was originally in the Imperial collections in Vienna (now lost) which was engraved by P. van Lisebetten in Theatrum Pictorium, 1660 (see fig.). Another is mentioned in the Liechtenstein collection in 1767 (see V. Fanti, 1767, Vienna, Descrizione complete dela Galleria…di Giuseppe Wenceslao, Principe Regnante della casa di Liechtenstein).

Guido Reni was one of the most celebrated and successful painters of 17th century Italy and his works were in great demand. Around 250 painted compositions from Reni’s hand have been catalogued (see S.D. Pepper, Guido Reni, a complete catalogue of his works, Oxford1984 and 1988) the former count is considerably increased by the numerous variants and copies that emerged from his studio. As is common practice amongst highly requested, successful artists assistants aided Reni. According to Malvasia, (see C.C. Malvasia, Felsina pittrice, Bologna 1678, ed. Bologna 1841) various followers, including Giovanni Andrea Sirani (1616–70), worked on many of the oil paintings, and Gessi and Sementi assisted Reni from as early as 1617. Malvasia also provided a key description of Reni’s attitude towards what he himself thought was an ‘original’. When criticized by the Borghese Pope Paul V for allowing Lanfranco to paint draperies on a figure in the Palazzo del Quirinale frescoes that had been entrusted to Reni himself, he responded: ‘the drawing, sketching and background painting do not make up the work: they are just like a legal instrument of yours which, before you put your hand on it and sign it, is worthless. In addition to the ideas and designs that are mine, I go over everything, I refinish and redo it in such a way that if a work given to me is not turned out by my hand, then I would willingly incur your indignation’ (see R.E. Spear The Divine Guido: Religion, Sex, Money and Art in the World of Guido Reni, 1997).

The painting illustrates a scene from the Old Testament. Susanna, a youthful and beautiful woman, takes a bath in her garden when two old men approach her. They try to force her to make love and threaten that they will accuse her of adultery if she does not agree. When Susanna refuses, they take her to court. She proves her innocence and escapes death.

Additional pictures
Peeter van Lisebetten after Guido Reni, Reproduction from Theatrum Pictorium, 2nd edition, plate 233