Esther before Ahasverus
1750â1775
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1921-22-285
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
"Esther before Ahasus" is a captivating 18th-century print a pivotal moment from the Book of Esther in the Bible. In this dramatic scene, Queen Esther bravely approaches King Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes) plead for the lives of her Jewish people, risking her own life in the process. Created between 1750 and 1775 by an unknown artist, the work reflects the enduring popularity of biblical narratives in art during the Enlightenment era, when prints served as affordable means to share moral and heroic stories with wide audiences. As a print from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...