Esther before Ahasuerus
Artist
Antonio Negretti (Antonio Palma)
(Italian, 1515 - 1574)
Date1574
CultureItalian
MediumOil on canvas
ClassificationPaintings
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN85
In this scene from the Old Testament, the Jewish heroine Esther intercedes with the Persian king Ahasuerus, convincing him to spare her people from massacre. Appearing unsummoned before the king was punishable by death, and here the artist emphasizes Esther’s dramatic bravery as she leans forward, alone and vulnerable, to entreat the king.The painting may also have been intended as an allegory of Venice beseeching Henri III of France for military aid against the threat of Spain; the setting is clearly Venice, with recognizable architectural monuments in the background.
On View
On viewLocation
DimensionsImage: 67 x 123 in. (170.2 x 312.4 cm)- Museum of Art, Gallery 06, Wall North
Frame: 81 7/16 × 135 3/8 × 4 7/16 in. (206.8 × 343.8 × 11.3 cm)
