Esther Before Ahasuerus, 1622
Frans Francken II (Flemish, 1581–1642)
In memory of a young boy who delighted in the story of Esther and of all those he loved and who love him. 2025.261
The first 17th-century Flemish painting acquired in almost 15 years, Frans Francken II’s sumptuous Esther before Ahasuerus celebrates the heroine of the Purim holiday. Eleanor Wood Prince Curator Jacquelyn N. Coutré will discuss this exciting new addition to the collection, contextualizing it within its historical moment, highlighting its innovative iconography, and investigating the figure of Esther as a model of female fortitude.
This 30-minute program offers deep dive on a single topic featuring experts from across the museum.
About the Speaker
Jacquelyn N. Coutré is the Eleanor Wood Prince Curator in Painting and Sculpture of Europe at the Art Institute of Chicago. Since her arrival in 2019, she has overseen the 2021 reinstallation of the 17th-century Dutch and Flemish galleries, acquired paintings by Edwaert Collier and Maria van Oosterwijck, and curated Van Gogh and the Avant-Garde: The Modern Landscape (2023). She specializes in early modern Northern European art, with an emphasis on Rembrandt’s circle, artistic competition and exchange, and collecting histories.
If you have any questions about programming, please reach out to [email protected].
Closed captioning will be available for this program. For questions related to accessibility accommodations, please email [email protected].
