Susanna (#1)

Paul Manship, Susanna (#1), 1948, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.1
Paul Manship, Susanna (#1), 1948, marble, 37 in. (94.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.1

Artwork Details

Title
Susanna (#1)
Artist
Date
1948
Dimensions
37 in. (94.0 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Paul Manship
Mediums
Mediums Description
marble
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — Old Testament — Susanna
Object Number
1966.47.1

Artwork Description

This sculpture was probably inspired by the biblical story of Susanna. Two elders tried to seduce the young girl while she bathed, but she rejected their advances. In their anger, the men falsely accused her of adultery and sentenced her to death. In this piece the girl dries herself with a towel and appears unaware of the two lechers. Paul Manship usually sculpted in bronze, but may have made this piece in white marble to accentuate Susanna’s innocence and purity.

Works by this artist (6 items)

Herbert Gentry, La Rose, 1986, screenprint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Stanley Bard, 1989.76.2, © 1986, Herbert Gentry
La Rose
Date1986
screenprint on paper
Not on view
Herbert Gentry, Ici, 1985, lift ground and aquatint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Stanley Bard, 1989.76.3, © 1985, Herbert Gentry
Ici
Date1985
lift ground and aquatint on paper
Not on view
Herbert Gentry, Meeting Series "B": Our Lives, 1988, mixed media on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Stanley Bard, 1989.76.1, © 1988, Herbert Gentry
Meeting Series B”: Our Lives
Date1988
mixed media on paper
Not on view
Herbert Gentry, Faced Faces, 1971, color lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Stanley Bard, 1989.76.4, © 1971, Herbert Gentry
Faced Faces
Date1971
color lithograph on paper
Not on view