Esther voor Ahasveros 1643 - 1700

This etching by Jean Pesne, titled "Esther voor Ahasveros", depicts a scene from the biblical story of Esther. In the foreground, the young queen Esther kneels before King Ahasuerus, pleading for the lives of her people, the Jews, who are threatened by the evil Haman. Pesne masterfully captures the drama and suspense of the moment, utilizing detailed lines and light and shadow to convey Esther's desperation and Ahasuerus's regal authority. The print was created between 1643 and 1700 and is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum.