Artwork

Esther reading Haman's Decree of the Extermination of the Jews

Esther reading Haman's Decree of the Extermination of the Jews is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1650, the work titled "Esther reading Haman's Decree of the Extermination of the Jews" is an image held in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It portrays a solitary female figure seated amid sumptuous textiles, clutching a document that suggests a narrative moment from the biblical Book of Esther.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is identified as Esther, the Jewish queen who confronts the edict ordering her people's destruction. By focusing on her act of reading the decree, the composition emphasizes a moment of revelation and agency, inviting contemplation of themes such as courage, destiny, and the tension between authority and resistance.

Technique & Style

The artist employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, allowing light to illuminate Esther’s face and richly patterned gown while the surrounding darkness recedes. This contrast creates a three‑dimensional presence and heightens the dramatic intensity of the scene. The intricate detailing of the fabrics demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship typical of mid‑seventeenth‑century visual conventions.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the anonymous creator known as 812_person, the image dates to the mid‑17th century. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains part of the institution’s representation of religious and narrative art from the period.