Esther before Ahasuerus
1435
In this striking 15th-century scene, Queen Esther kneels humbly before King Ahasuerus, her hands raised in a gesture of pleading. The King, dressed in lavish pink robes and a towering hat, extends his golden scepter toward her—a crucial biblical moment, as touching the scepter meant she would be spared from execution for approaching him uninvited. Notice the bold, almost modern-looking gold background with its swirling patterns, which contrasts sharply with the heavy, realistic folds of their clothing. The artist, Konrad Witz, labeled the figures in Gothic script ('hester' and 'ahswerd'), ensuring no one would miss the high-stakes drama unfolding before them.
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