A fine eighteenth-century engraving by Carlo Antonio Porporati, depicting the biblical scene of Susanna at her bath after the painting by Jean-Baptiste Santerre.

This engraving by Carlo Antonio Porporati depicts the biblical narrative of Susanna, who is observed by two elders while bathing. The work is a reproduction of an original oil painting by Jean-Baptiste Santerre, which the French artist submitted for his reception into the Académie Royale in 1704. Porporati, an Italian engraver working in the late eighteenth century, executed this print to mark his own reception into the same institution in 1773.

The composition follows the established iconography of the subject, contrasting the vulnerability of the central figure with the voyeuristic presence of the elders lurking in the shadows. Porporati employs a refined burin technique to translate the soft textures of Santerre's original painting into a monochrome medium. The play of light across Susanna's form is achieved through delicate hatching and cross-hatching, which creates a smooth transition between highlights and deep shadows. The architectural elements, including the stone wall and the basin, provide a structured backdrop that frames the narrative action.

Porporati was known for his technical precision and his ability to capture the tonal qualities of paintings. This print demonstrates his command over the copper plate, particularly in the rendering of fabric and the subtle modelling of the human figure. The inclusion of the original inscription at the base of the print provides historical context, noting the dimensions of the original painting and the circumstances of its creation. As a piece of reproductive printmaking, this work offers insight into the dissemination of academic art during the eighteenth century, allowing collectors to own high-quality interpretations of celebrated paintings. The print remains a fine example of the skill required to translate colour and brushwork into the precise language of line engraving.