Three Scenes from the Story of Esther
1470 Department of Paintings of the Louvre
About this artwork
This panel, attributed to Sandro Botticelli, illustrates three key moments from the Book of Esther. The central and primary scene depicts Esther fainting before King Ahasuerus, while on the left, Mordecai mourns, and on the right, Haman is led to his execution.
Did you know?
The Story of Esther is a dramatic biblical tale of a Jewish queen who bravely intervenes to save her people from a genocidal plot. This painting captures crucial moments of her story, from her courageous appeal to King Ahasuerus, even at the risk of her life, to the ultimate downfall of the villain Haman, whose own gallows are used for his execution. Such narrative panels were often commissioned for domestic settings, perhaps to adorn cassoni (marriage chests) or spalliere (wall panels), serving as both decorative art and moral instruction.
On your wall. Unlock the HD download and keep this piece in your Vault — forever.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
Three Scenes from the Story of Esther
Sandro Botticelli, 1470
