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

Giovanni de' Vecchi Italian

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.

Esther and Mordecai before King Ahasuerus (Esther 8:1- 12), Giovanni de' Vecchi (Italian, Borgo Sansepolcro 1536/37–1615 Rome), Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over black chalk

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