'Daniel.' In Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed. Sheffield, U.K.: Sheffield Academic Press. 'The Accused: Susanna and Her Readers.' In A Feminist Companion to Esther, Judith, and Susanna, ed. 'Rape and the Gendered Gaze: Susanna and the Elders in Early Modern Bologna.' Biblical Interpretation 9(3): 259-286. See also Art Erotic Art Gaze Nude in Visual Arts. Gus Van Sant's 1998 remake of Psycho substitutes another painting (possibly, according to Donato Totaro, a Titian, Venus with a Mirror), which would change the narrative intention.Д«ecause of the multiple allegorical dimensions of the episode, the story of Susanna and the elders is of considerable interest to feminists, artists, biblical scholars, and also film critics. Van Dyck's painting appears in the film Psycho (1960) by Alfred Hitchcock, suggesting male violence and a parallel with the movie's plot. 1518вЂ“1594) and a contemporary artist such as Vasili Ryabchenko (1991).

It is interesting to compare Gentileschi's version with that of her contemporary Anthony Van Dyck (1599вЂ“1641), as well as with renditions by other artists, such as Jacopo da Empoli (1554вЂ“1640) Lodovico Carracci (1555вЂ“1619), the Bolognese painter who rejects the erotic and focuses on the virtues Il Guercino (1591вЂ“1666) Rembrandt (1606вЂ“1669) Tintoretto (c. 1651) projects pain and modesty, the objectification of the woman, her fright and shame, while also showing the beauty and shapeliness of her naked body, as well as the wicked pose of the two elders. Indeed, the portrayal of the scene by Artemisia Gentileschi (c. Feminist scholarship has interpreted Susanna as an example of male violence, patriarchal hegemony, and abuse. Some painters have portrayed the episode in an erotic and sensuous vein, whereas others have placed emphasis on her virtue. The story of Susanna has been of great interest to painters and other visual artists because of the inspirational character of Susanna's beauty and virtue, as well as her perseverance and faith in her God. Daniel's wisdom is acclaimed by the people, and his prophetic spirit praised. The two elders are unmasked and sentenced to death, and Susanna's virtue and reputation are reestablished. One states that they saw the two copulating under a mastic tree, the other under an oak. Her prayer is heard and the Lord fills with holy spirit a youth named Daniel, who cries out loudly that this woman is innocent: 'I am clear of the blood of this woman.' Daniel interrogates the two elders separately and proves that they are lying because they contradict one another. Susanna is condemned to die based on this false charge, but she prays fervently to the Lord, being a woman of faith and virtue, asking God to come to her rescue. Everyone believes them because of their reputation and prestige. They solemnly testify to this accusation. They claim that Susanna sent away the maids and lay with the young man who was hiding and got away when the two elders unsuccessfully tried to capture him, and that Susanna would not reveal his name to them.

The following day everyone is assembled for the judgment, as the two elders pronounce their false accusation against Susanna. As the alarmed maids arrive, the elders accuse Susanna of coupling with a young lover. In this dire predicament, Susanna cries out in despair. This would bring the death penalty upon her, according to the law. Spying on the naked Susanna, they tell her that they will accuse her of adultery with a young man if she does not satisfy their lust. Overhearing this, two elders or judges who had been visiting her house, after pretending to leave, return with illicit desires. In the story Susanna (in Hebrew, 'lily'), a most virtuous and beautiful woman, wife of Joakim, a rich and respected member of the Jewish community in Babylon, decides on a hot day to take a cool bath in the garden. The Latin and Greek Orthodox Church have always considered this story as part of the book of Daniel, and it is cited as a canonical text as early as Irenaeus and Tertullian, and by Origen in the Epistle to Julius Africanus. Although it is not in the Hebrew text of the book of Daniel, it was transmitted through the Greek Bible and in versions that derive from it. The apocryphal story of Susanna and the elders, dated circa sixth century bce, became a favorite subject of painters of the early modern period.

Susanna in the book of daniel