Artwork
Esther before Ahasuerus
Esther before Ahasuerus is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Lucas van Leyden. It dates from 1518 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Esther before Ahasuerus is a 1518 engraving by Lucas van Leyden, a Dutch artist known for his work in printmaking and painting.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts a biblical scene, likely the moment when Esther approaches King Ahasuerus, as indicated by the kneeling woman with a staff surrounded by figures in an ornate room.
Technique & Style
Created using engraving techniques, the work features intricate lines that convey texture and emotion, evident in the detailed folds of the figures' robes and their facial expressions.
Context
The scene is set in a grand room with a distant view of a town through a window, adding depth to the composition and contrasting the immediacy of the figures with a serene background.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas van Leyden (1494 – 8 August 1533), was a Dutch painter and printmaker in engraving and woodcut. Lucas van Leyden was among the first Dutch exponents of genre painting and was a very accomplished engraver.
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