Frans FRANCKEN II (1581-1642) Workshop of "Esther and King Assuérus" Oil on copper.

Lot 303 - Frans FRANCKEN II (1581-1642) Workshop of - "Esther And King Ahasuerus" Oil on copper. According to the legendary story of the Jewish people told in the Old Testament in the "Book of Esther", Esther was a Jewess in the harem of the Persian king Assuerus, who could be identified with Xerxes I (579-465) or Artaxerxes I (465-424). In the painting above, she accuses Prime Minister Haman of preparing the massacre of the Jews in exile in Babylon. In the background, the prime minister is hanged by order of the Persian king. In Jewish tradition, this event is commemorated by the festival of Purim.