Loth, Johann Carl (attr.) München 1632 - Venedig 1698 123 x 156 xm Susanna and the Elders. Oil/canvas, relined. Private Collection, Aachen. Collected from the 1950s to 1970s. We are grateful to Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Fusari for having confirmed the attribution of the present painting to Johann Carl Loth on the basis of images. Born in Munich, J.C. Loth settled in Venice at the age of about 20 after having completed his training in his parents' house. Influenced by the most progressive artists of Venice, Francesco Ruscha, Pietro Liberi, Antonio Zanchi and especially Giovanni Battista Langetti, he became one of the most important painters of the group of "Tenebrosi", which had the Caravaggism as a role model. The biblical story of “Susanna in the Bath” or “Susanna and the Elders” is actually an exemplary narration about the humiliation of a beautiful young woman who refuses to be obedient to two desirous old men. She is being slandered, brought to justice and sentenced to death. Only God's will, in the person of Daniel (Book of Daniel) can bring clarification and save Susanna. This “snapshot” has been painted again and again, with the attractive, unclothed Susanna. This subject was known to painting at least from the beginning of the 16th century. Closest comparable to the actual painting is the version in the Paul Getty Museum (inv. no 69.PA.2); reversed and with slightly varying gestures of the two old men.