Esther before Ahasuerus

Currently not on view

Esther before Ahasuerus

1518

Lucas van Leyden (Netherlandish (active Leiden), c. 1494–1533)

Esther, the Jewish wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus, kept her religion secret from her husband until he pronounced a sentence of death on all Jews in his realm. Here she intervenes on their behalf, humbling herself before him to save her people.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Esther before Ahasuerus

Date:

1518

Artist:

Lucas van Leyden (Netherlandish (active Leiden), c. 1494–1533)

Medium:

Engraving

Dimensions:

Sheet (cut within platemark): 10 11/16 x 8 13/16 inches (27.1 x 22.4 cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

The Muriel and Philip Berman Gift, acquired from the John T. Morris Collection given to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1925 by Lydia Thompson Morris, with funds contributed by Muriel and Philip Berman, gifts (by exchange) of Lisa Norris Elkins, Bryant W. Langston, Samuel S. White 3rd and Vera White, with additional funds contributed by John Howard McFadden, Jr., Thomas Skelton Harrison, and the Philip H. and A.S.W. Rosenbach Foundation, 1985

Accession Number:

1985-52-38081

Geography:

Made in Leiden, Netherlands (historical name, 15th-16th century), Europe

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Currently not on view