Susanna (1942–52, cast 1953)

The Italian sculptor Giacomo Manzù started modelling this version of a 'Susanna' in 1942 and modified it up to the end of 1952. He only decided at the beginning of 1953 to have it cast in bronze in time for his London exhibition at the Hanover Gallery in May-June 1953 where the Contemporary Art Society, through its Foreign Fund, helped the Tate Gallery to purchase it.

This is the only cast that was made and the original plaster figure for it has been destroyed, although in 1954, Manzù made another version of this figure known as 'Reclining Woman' or 'Study for Reclining Woman'. According to the artist, the title does not have any personal or literary significance; there are several variants called Susanna by him including in the Minervino Collection, Milan; 1948 and the Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Milan; 1949-54.

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