‘Esther Denouncing Haman To King Ahasuerus’ By Ernest Normand (1857-1923)
This painting is based on a Biblical tale, a story in which Esther (the Jewish wife of King Ahasuerus) denounces Hamam (the King’s favourite courtier) as he planned to kill all of the Jews in Persia. The story is told in the Bible and the event is remembered in the Jewish festival of Plum. Ernest Normand, the artist, painted portraits as well as historical and narrative subjects. He lived and worked mainly in North London. He specialised in dramatic scenes from ancient history, often inspired by the Old Testament. I like this painting as it is heavily inspired by fictional events, and the image creates a visualisation of the tale.
Painting in Sunderland Art Gallery