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Hanging (Depicting the Story of Esther and King Ahasuerus) (Needlework)

A work made of linen, plain weave; embroidered with silk and wool in tent and cross stitch.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of linen, plain weave; embroidered with silk and wool in tent and cross stitch.

Date:

1575/1600

Artist:

France or England

About this artwork

This needlework hanging recounts two scenes from the Old Testament story of Esther and the Persian king Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes). At the left, the seated Mordecai pleads with his cousin Esther, the Jewish queen, to intercede with the king to prevent the massacre of the Jews in the empire planned by the chief minister. At right, Esther swoons as Ahasuerus agrees to see her unannounced. In the end, the king heeded Esther’s plea, and the enemies of the Jews were killed instead. The deliverance of the Jews in ancient Persia is celebrated annually on the Jewish holiday of Purim.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Textiles

Title

Hanging (Depicting the Story of Esther and King Ahasuerus) (Needlework)

Place

France (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Made 1575–1600

Medium

Linen, plain weave; embroidered with silk and wool in tent and cross stitch

Dimensions

185.4 × 297.2 cm (73 × 117 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Dr. Jonathan and Mrs. Alexandra Zizmor

Reference Number

2014.1389

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/227615/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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