BY ACHILLE BIANCHI (ITALIAN, 1837-1889), ROME, 1886

Having studied at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts under Benedetto Cacciatori, Bianchi continued his training in Florence and Rome, where he later settled at the end of his life circa 1880. Like many of his contemporaries, Bianchi sculpted both works of fine art, such as the present lot, and funerary monuments. He exhibited regularly, including in Florence in 1861 where he presented his work Alpinolo, and showed at the Promotrice di Belle Arti di Torino beginning in 1859. In recognition of his works Ildegonda and Desdemona shown in Porto the artist was awarded the Portugese Chivalric Order of Christ.
In the present work Bianchi returns to a common theme like many artists before him, the story of Susannah and the Elders. Here he portrays the moment when Susannah first notices the intruders and she moves to cover herself. While her face evokes her shock and fear, enough of figure's body is revealed to illustrate the sinful temptation the Elders faced.