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Willem de Poorter , Dutch, 1608-after 1848

Title

The Robing of Esther

Datelate 1630s

MediumOil on panel

Dimensions

39.4 x 30.8 cm

Credit LinePresented, Sir Walter Armstrong, 1893

Object numberNGI.380

DescriptionThe Old Testament book of Esther mentions how Esther, the Jewish queen of King Ahaseurus, was forbidden to enter the king's presence without being summoned. The Jewish people of the kingdom had been condemned to death, and so Esther put on her finest apparel and entered Ahasuerus' chamber to intercede with the king on behalf of her people.

Activein Haarlem, De Poorter was a painter of biblical and mythological subjects, many of which are obscure and rarely chosen by other artists. Although probably not a student of Rembrandt, De Poorter adopted several of his stylistic features, including strong contrasts in light and shade.
Label TextThe Old Testament book of Esther mentions how Esther, the Jewish queen of King Ahaseurus, was forbidden to enter the king's presence without being summoned. The Jewish people of the kingdom had been condemned to death, and so Esther put on her finest apparel and entered Ahasuerus' chamber to intercede with the king on behalf of her people.

Activein Haarlem, De Poorter was a painter of biblical and mythological subjects, many of which are obscure and rarely chosen by other artists. Although probably not a student of Rembrandt, De Poorter adopted several of his stylistic features, including strong contrasts in light and shade.