Susanna und die beiden Alten

Susannah and the Elders

As the beautiful Susannah bathed in her garden, two elders threatened to accuse her of adultery if she did not sleep with them. She refused, and was falsely accused, but her innocence was finally proven. This subject was especially popular since it gave artists the opportunity to portray the female nude while at the same time celebrating the triumph of virtue over villainy.