The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt
Paintings, prints, and drawings representing the Book of Esther made by Rembrandt van Rijn and his contemporaries will be presented with Jewish ceremonial art related to the holiday of Purim from 17th-century Amsterdam.
In the age of Rembrandt van Rijn (1606 – 1669), the biblical Book of Esther was a key source of inspiration for diverse communities in Holland, both Jewish and Christian. Traditionally, the Esther story is read annually on the Jewish holiday of Purim. For immigrant Jewish communities living with new freedom in more tolerant Amsterdam, celebrating Purim—notably through finely produced Esther scrolls and theater productions—became meaningful expressions of Jewish culture. For the Dutch, Queen Esther’s heroism came to represent their emerging nation’s identity. Rembrandt and his contemporaries depicted essential scenes of Esther’s story in paintings, prints, drawings, and decorative arts. This exhibition gives expression to this full range of the Book of Esther’s popularity and meaning in Rembrandt’s time.
The exhibition is co-organized by the Jewish Museum, New York, and the North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh.
The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt is made possible by the Jerome L. Greene Foundation.
Major support at the Jewish Museum is also provided by the Leon Levy Foundation and Denise Littlefield Sobel, together with Achelis and Bodman Foundation, Alfred J. Grunebaum & Ruth Grunebaum Sondheimer Memorial Fund, The Jamnik Family, David L. Klein Jr Foundation, Samuel H. Kress Foundation, Robert Lehman Foundation, Reuben and Jane Leibowitz Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Joan Rosenbaum Exhibition Endowment, Sudarsky Family Foundation, and other generous donors. This exhibition is also supported as a part of the Dutch Culture USA FUTURE 400 program by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York.
The publication is made possible in part by the Dorot Foundation.
The digital guide supported by Bloomberg Connects.
Rembrandt van Rijn. A Jewish Heroine from the Hebrew Bible, 1632-1633. Oil on canvas. 109.2 x 94.4 cm. National Gallery of Canada, purchased 1953.
Exhibition highlights
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an Steen, The Wrath of Ahasuerus, 1668–70. Oil on canvas, 32 x 38 ¾ in. (81.2 x 98.5 cm). Museum Bredius, The Hague, Netherlands.
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Salom Italia. Esther scroll with green silk. 1640s. Jewish Museum London.
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Audio
Digital guide supported by Bloomberg Connects.
Download the digital guide transcript.
Download the verbal description tour transcript.