women-artists
Esther before Ahasuerus
by Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1656)
Year:1620s
Collection:Metropolitan Museum of Art
Medium:Oil on canvas
Size:82 in. × 8 ft. 11 3/4 in. (208.3 × 273.7 cm)
About this artwork
A monumental representation of Queen Esther's courageous petition to King Ahasuerus to save the Jewish people. Gentileschi's dramatic composition captures the moment of high tension as Esther faints from the emotional weight of her appeal. The artist's masterful handling of rich fabrics, expressive gestures, and psychological intensity reflects her training under her father Orazio and her distinctive voice in Baroque painting. As one of the first women accepted into Florence's prestigious Accademia delle Arti del Disegno, Gentileschi challenged conventions through powerful female protagonists and sophisticated technique.
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