Susannah

Details

GIOVANNI BATTISTA LOMBARDI (ITALIAN, 1823–1880)
Susannah
signed and dated 'G. B. Lombardi / f. Roma. 1869', on a circular marble plinth with two small bronze handles and a marble pedestal carved with two scenes depicting Susannah and the Elders between two floral bouquets
marble
50 in. (127 cm.) high, the figure
81 in. (205.5 cm.) high, overall
(2)

Special notice

This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Brought to you by

Giles Forster

gforster@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2146

Lot Essay

A student of the Accademia in Rome under the direction of Piètro Tenerani, a pupil of Thorvaldsen, Lombardi had a celebrated career producing large religious and allegorical subjects. Susanna and Ruth are among the artist's most recognizable works and his studio produced the figures on a number of occasions. The present figure appears to be quite an early example of the model of Susannah, with other known examples sold at auction having been dated 1872, 1874, and 1877, respectively.
The story of Susannah and the Elders from the Old Testament tells the tale of a young and beautiful maiden who is caught bathing by two lustful voyeurs. As she attempts to leave the older men threaten her with blackmail, indicating that if she does not agree to sleep with them, they will falsify a story that Susannah was there to meet a lover. Susannah, refuses them and is ultimately innocent, her virtue triumphant. Like many artists before him, Lombardi captures the moment when Susannah first notices the intruders. She protects herself and scowls in their perceived direction, but enough of figure is revealed to illustrate the sinful temptation.

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