Circle of Kaspar van den Hoecke 1595-1648

F.J. van der Banden, Geschiederis der Antwerpsche Schilderschool, 3 Vols., Antwerp, 1878-1883
von Wurzbach, Niederländisches Künstler Lexicon, 3 Vols., Vienna, 1906-1911
Wilenski, Flemish Painters, 2 Vols., London 1960
J. Lacambre, La peinture flamande au temps de Rubens, Lille, 1977

This monumental composition captures the pivotal event in the story of Esther when she appears before King Ahasuerus, revealing her identity and exposes Haman’s villainous plot to kill the Jews. She appeals to her husband for her life and the lives of her people.

The story of Esther has intrigued artists for years, first appearing in the third century synagogue paintings at Dura-Europos.  Esther, who respresents  feminine modesty, courage and self-sacrifice also appears in Christian iconography as a result of these virtues. 

Gaspar van den Hoecke was a pupil of Juliaen Teniers the Elder. He became a Master in the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke in 1603. From 1616 until 1633 he instructed thirty seven pupils, among them Jan van Egmont. According to R.H. Wilenski, he worked in Sir Peter Paul Rubens’ studio sometime before 1622. Rubens’ influence is evident in the present work, particularly in the richness of colour and the use of chiaroscuro.