La nymphe Surprise, by Edouard Manet

Technique: oil on canvas / Measures: 144,5 x 112,5 cm

Manet knew how to capture a the look, part scared, part surprised, of this woman who was his fiancé and with who he already had a son. The artist allowed himself to alter formal aspects of his time to  show he was eager to use the newer artistic innovations.
In the Old Testament, in the book of Daniel (Dan, 13: 1-64) it is said that Susannah, the virtuous wife of the rich Joachim, when taking a bath in her garden, is surprised by to perverse old judges with dishonest propositions. Her shouts made them run, but as a vengeance, she was accused of adultery.  

This scene is usually depicted with the two men trying to harass the woman, who is usually naked, while they are dress in rich clothing. During Renaissance, it was usually an excuse to show a beautiful naked woman:

On the other hand, for Greek mythology, nymphs were goddesses of inferior category to Olympic divinities. They were Zeus's daughters and lived near rivers and caves. They were usually depicted as young girls, naked or barely dressed.

To name his painting, Manet takes the word nymph, from the Greek mythology, but depicts a surprised Susanna and places the public in the role of the reckless attacker.