Susanna en de ouderlingen

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

Richard Earlom's *Susanna en delingen* (Susanna and the Elders), in 1769, a dramatic biblical scene from the Book Daniel. The composition depicts the virtuous Susanna bathing, spied upon by two lecherous elders who later falsely accuse her—a tale of innocence, voyeurism, and divine justice that inspired countless artists from the Renaissance onward. Earlom, a leading British engraver of his time, specialized in exquisite mezzotint prints, often reproducing works by Old Masters like Rubens, whose lush handling of flesh and light this piece likely echoes. Measuring 456 × 535 mm on paper, this print exemplifies 18th-century printmaking's golden age, when mezzotint—a "black manner" technique involving rocking a copper plate to create velvety tones—allowed for painterly depth and subtlety unattainable in earlier line engravings. Produced during the Enlightenment, such reproductive prints democratized access to high art, adorning collectors' cabinets across Europe. Bearing the verso stamp Lugt 2228 (from the Rijksmuseum's Print Room), this work highlights its esteemed provenance, underscoring Earlom's enduring reputation for technical brilliance and narrative intensity. A window into 18th-century taste, it invites us to ponder timeless themes of power and morality.

About the Artist

Richard Earlom · 1728–1794

Richard Earlom (1743–1822) stands as one of the supreme masters of mezzotint engraving in British art history, whose technical virtuosity and dedication to reproductive printmaking brought the works of Old Masters to unprecedented audiences. Born in London on May 14, 1743, Earlom spent his entire career transforming paintings and drawings into prints of extraordinary quality, elevating reproductiv...