Oil on Panel 150cmx100cm, 2017
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ESTHERThe book of Esther relates to the story of a Hebrew woman in Persia, born as Hadassah, but known as Esther.
The setting is in the Persian capital of Shushan (Susa) in the third year of the reign of King Xerxes, who ruled from 486-465 BC. (The name Xerxes is equivalent to Artaxerxes and Ahasuerus). |
The Story behind the Painting
The story begins with King Xerxes holding a lavish banquet for the people of the capital city. On the seventh day of the banquet when Xerxes was “in high spirits from wine”, he orders the queen, Vashti, to come and display her beauty before the guests by wearing only her crown. She refuses. Furious and burned with anger, Xerxes consults with his wise men as to what action to take as she had not obeyed his command. After hearing their recommendation for Vashti never to enter the presence of the king, Xerxes removes her from her position as queen and makes arrangements to choose a new queen from a selection of beautiful young women from throughout the empire.
Among these women is the Jewish orphan Esther, who was fostered by her cousin Mordecai. Upon entering the palace, Esther won the favor of the eunuch in charge of the harem and immediately receives beauty treatments and special food. Twelve months of beauty treatments were prescribed for the women before they could go up to the king.
The painting shows Esther walking in the hallways of the palace on her way to the royal residence.
The king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women and she won his favor. He sets a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vasthi.
In her position as Queen, Esther was used by God to thwart a conspiracy by Haman, the king’s viceroy, to destroy the Jews throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.
The story begins with King Xerxes holding a lavish banquet for the people of the capital city. On the seventh day of the banquet when Xerxes was “in high spirits from wine”, he orders the queen, Vashti, to come and display her beauty before the guests by wearing only her crown. She refuses. Furious and burned with anger, Xerxes consults with his wise men as to what action to take as she had not obeyed his command. After hearing their recommendation for Vashti never to enter the presence of the king, Xerxes removes her from her position as queen and makes arrangements to choose a new queen from a selection of beautiful young women from throughout the empire.
Among these women is the Jewish orphan Esther, who was fostered by her cousin Mordecai. Upon entering the palace, Esther won the favor of the eunuch in charge of the harem and immediately receives beauty treatments and special food. Twelve months of beauty treatments were prescribed for the women before they could go up to the king.
The painting shows Esther walking in the hallways of the palace on her way to the royal residence.
The king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women and she won his favor. He sets a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vasthi.
In her position as Queen, Esther was used by God to thwart a conspiracy by Haman, the king’s viceroy, to destroy the Jews throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.