Susanna Before Daniel, plate 3 from Thrones of Justice (Thronus Iustitiae)

Art Historical Context

Willem van Swanenburgh’s engraving *Susanna Before Daniel* captures a pivotal moment from the biblical Book of Daniel, where the virtuous Susanna is vindicated by the young prophet’s wise judgment. Created in 1606 as the third plate in the series *Thronus Iustitiae* (Thrones of Justice), the print belongs to a tradition of moral imagery designed to illustrate divine and human justice. Such series were popular in the early modern period, offering viewers clear visual lessons on fairness, integrity, and the perils of false accusation. Executed as a detailed engraving on ivory laid paper, the work showcases the precision and tonal range possible with this printmaking technique. Swanenburgh’s careful line work allows the dramatic confrontation to unfold across the large plate, inviting close inspection of gesture and expression. As a print rather than a unique painting, it could be produced in multiple impressions, broadening access to its ethical message among collectors and scholars of the time. Today in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection of prints and drawings, the sheet preserves both its artistic refinement and its original purpose as a thoughtful meditation on justice.