Esther voor Ahasveros c. 1650 - 1690

Richard Collin created this engraving, titled Esther before Ahasuerus, in the Netherlands during the second half of the 17th century. It depicts a pivotal moment from the Book of Esther, where Esther risks her life by approaching the King without being summoned, hoping to save her people. The image is rich with the visual codes of its time. The opulent setting, the classical architecture, and the detailed costumes all speak to the wealth and power of the Dutch Golden Age. We see how the print served as a vehicle for conveying moral and religious narratives. The story of Esther, a tale of courage and divine intervention, would have resonated with a society that was grappling with its own identity and place in the world. To fully understand the print’s significance, we can turn to historical records, religious texts, and other visual sources that shed light on the social and cultural context in which it was made.