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Esther Denouncing Haman to King Ahasuerus by Ernest Normand

Esther Denouncing Haman to King Ahasuerus by Ernest Normand

This dramatic scene is from the Old Testament of the Bible. Esther, wife of the King of Persia, is pointing accusingly at Haman, a treacherous friend of the King. King Ahasuerus is sitting in the shadows behind Esther. The strong contrasts of light and shade, and the theatrical poses create a vivid scene. The style and subject are characteristic of the History painting style, which carried great prestige at this time. Ernest Normand was a successful London painter. He showed this picture at the Royal Academy, London in 1888;

Details

Created
1888
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimension
244.5cm × 167cm
Passage
Esther 7

Found in: Esther, Esther 7, 19th century

Esther 7

1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.

2 The king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition, queen Esther? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”

3 Then Esther the queen answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.

4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for male and female slaves, I would have held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king’s loss.”

5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen, “Who is he, and where is he who dared presume in his heart to do so?”

6 Esther said, “An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman!” Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

7 The king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden. Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman had fallen on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in front of me in the house?” As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

9 Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were with the king said, “Behold, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman has made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, is standing at Haman’s house.” The king said, “Hang him on it!”

10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.

Esther 7 · World English Bible

The artist

Ernest Normand

1857 - 1923

London, United Kingdom

Ernest Normand was born in London on 30 December 1857. He painted history and orientalist paintings, and also undertook portraits.

Read more about Ernest Normand →

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