- 11
Frans Francken the Younger Antwerp 1581 - 1642
Description
- Frans Francken the Younger
- esther before ahasuerus (esther V:2-34)
- signed, inscribed and dated lower left: D... f francken ...d.et f. Antw / Ao 1622.
- oil on panel, the reverse branded with the Antwerp panel mark
Catalogue Note
Esther, a beautiful young Jewess, interceded with king Ahasuerus of Persia (who did not know she was Jewish) to prevent the massacre of her people. She dressed in her most finest robes and invited the king for a banquet where, in due course, her intercession on behalf of her people succeeded. During the Jewish festival of Purim Esther is still commemorated for her brave deed.
Francken treated this subject less often than another theme from the Old Testament: that of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Both are often compositionally very similar, and have in the past been confused. Compare for example Francken's Queen Sheba before King Salomon in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Quimper (inv. no. 893-1-5; see U. Härting, Frans Francken der Jüngere. Die Gemälde mit Kritischem Oeuvrekatalog, Freren 1989, p. 246, no. 70, reproduced, also on pp. 175-6).
The reverse bears an unidentified wax seal.