The Experienced Susanna (2021)

“The Experienced Susanna” shows a middle-aged woman sitting on a rock formation that encircles a small tide pool, her hair wrapped up in a red-white towel turban. He position reminds of Jean August Dominique Ingres’ 1808 painting “The Valpinçon Bather”. Her feet are put in the water and surrounded by bubbles from glass. Sculpture and title also reflect Artemisia Gentileschi’s 1610 painting “Susanna and the Elders”. The biblical story tells of a young woman who was approached by two old men attempting to seduce her, when she rejected them they accused her of adultery. The woman in the sculpture is, as opposed to Gentileschi’s painting, laughing, she is not disgusted, angry, or afraid. Mark Twain said “Humor is tragedy plus time.” This Susanna is no young woman any more, she has learned from experience about the tricks and lies of certain people, that try to manipulate her to their own advantage, she is no longer prey, but safe to take her bath nude when she wishes to without endangering her reputation to malicious gossip.

In the water by Susanna’s right foot we see some green sea weed and a red-blue-white creature hidden by the bubbles, that turns out to be a crab, approaching her toes. In German language the word for “crab” is the same as for “cancer” (“Krebs”). It is not clear if Susanna has noticed the animal or not, if she smiles because she is unaware or because she feels no actual danger coming from the creature.

Josiane Keller “The Experienced Susanna” red earthenware, white porcelain, underglaze, glass;

scale: 33 cm x 20 cm x 25 cm (2021)

The Experienced Susanna