Frans Francken II (1581-1642). Esther And King Ahasuerus.

Esther and King Ahasuerus her husband. Workshop of Frans Francken II (1581-1642). Antwerp School of the 17th century Oil painted on copper panel. Dimensions: with frame: 74 cm It is a passage from the Old Testament that the painter has chosen to illustrate and offer to us. Esther having invited the King of Persia Ahasuerus her husband and his minister Haman to dinner, announces to the King that she is Jewish and that Haman has decreed the elimination of the Jews from the Kingdom. The decree will not be canceled but the Jews will have the right to defend themselves and they will do so by killing thousands of men of the kingdom. King Ahasuerus will have his minister and his sons hanged for the wrong done to the Jews of the Persian Empire, a scene that can be seen on the left and in the background of the painting. The table is set covered with a white tablecloth and steaming dishes, the queen stands facing, surrounded on the right of the painting by King Ahasuerus dressed in a bright yellow and blue coat and on the left by his minister Haman wearing a green velvet coat and an Indian pink silk cape, our eyes are drawn to the whiteness of her skin which contrasts with the blue of her dress, a gold brooch adorned with three pearls adorns her neckline. Frans Francken II painted many biblical and mythological themes, this work painted on copper is in very good state of conservation.