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Esther and Mordecai before King Ahasuerus (Esther 8:1- 12)

1536/7–1615
Not on view
Of Tuscan origins, Giovanni de’ Vecchi spent most 
of his career in Rome, where he was active as a 
fresco painter on some of the city’s most prestigious commissions. This detailed sheet, executed in a painterly, animated style in pen and ink with delicate washes, has been identified as a scene from the Book 
of Esther. King Ahasuerus presents to Mordecai a 
signet ring (here enlarged by the artist for emphasis) that once belonged to the evil Haman as Queen Esther stands at right. The work is perhaps a modello (demonstration drawing) for a fresco, though no 
related final work exists.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Esther and Mordecai before King Ahasuerus (Esther 8:1- 12)
  • Artist: Giovanni de' Vecchi (Italian, Borgo Sansepolcro 1536/37–1615 Rome)
  • Date: 1536/7–1615
  • Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over black chalk
  • Dimensions: 12 7/16 x 8 13/16in. (31.6 x 22.4cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1969
  • Object Number: 69.126.3
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Design for a Wall Decoration: Representations of the Ascension and of the Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch, Giovanni de' Vecchi Italian, Pen and brown ink, over black chalk (architectural elements); red chalk, pen and brown ink, traces of black chalk (narrative scenes)
Design for a Wall Decoration: Representations of the Ascension and of the Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch
Giovanni de' Vecchi
ca. 1600
Standing Figure of Saint Peter Holding Book and Keys., Giovanni de' Vecchi Italian, Pen and two shades of brown ink, brush and pale brown wash, over traces of black chalk
Standing Figure of Saint Peter Holding Book and Keys.
Giovanni de' Vecchi
1536/7–1615
Saint John the Evangelist, Giovanni de' Vecchi Italian, Pen and dark brown ink, extensively highlighted with white, over black chalk, on beige paper; squared in black chalk
Saint John the Evangelist
Giovanni de' Vecchi
1598–99
Lucretia, Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) Italian, Pen and brown ink over black chalk, partially incised with a stylus (recto); rubbed with black chalk for transfer (verso)
Lucretia
Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi)
1508–10
Three Standing Figures (recto); Seated Woman and a Male Hermit in Half-length (verso), Stefano da Verona (Stefano di Giovanni d'Arbosio di Francia) Italian, Pen and brown ink, over traces of charcoal or black chalk (recto); pen and brown ink, brush with touches of brown wash, over traces of charcoal or black chalk (verso)
Three Standing Figures (recto); Seated Woman and a Male Hermit in Half-length (verso)
Stefano da Verona (Stefano di Giovanni d'Arbosio di Francia)
1435–38

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