Ahasuerus, when he could not sleep, consulting the Records 1563

This 1563 drawing, "Ahasuerus, when he could not sleep, consulting the Records," by Maarten van Heemskerck, depicts a scene from the Book of Esther. The artwork portrays Ahasuerus, the King of Persia, in bed, being presented with a scroll by an attendant. The scene is meticulously detailed, with the artist's signature and the date appearing in the lower right corner. This drawing highlights Heemskerck’s talent for capturing the intricacies of a historical narrative through realistic and expressive figures.