3-069-138 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Triumph of Mordechai, 17th century. Additional Info: This painting is a repetition of a composition by the Dutch artist Jacob Willemsz de Wet (ca. 1610-1675) presenting a scene from the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible. Mordechai was the guardian of a beautiful Jewish girl named Esther, who became the wife of King Ahasuerus of Persia. Both concealed their Jewish origins from the king. The Vizier Haman sought to destroy the Jews. The king, however, after learning that Mordechai had saved his life, ordered Haman to honour him. The painting depicts Mordechai clad in luxurious robes and seated on the royal horse being led through the streets of the city by Haman and being greeted by crowds. On the terrace of the palace stand King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther. Jacob de Wet worked in Haarlem and mainly painted biblical and mythological scenes.