Arent de Gelder 1645 – 1727

Esther and Mordecai writing the first letter of Purim

oil on canvas (102 × 152 cm) — c. 1685
Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden

This work is linked to Esther 9:20

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The Jewish inhabitants of the Persian king Ahasuerus' empire have killed their enemies, the followers of the evil Hamand. Mordecai and queen Esther think the event should be commemorated every year. In the first letter of Purim calls to do so: from then on, the 14th and 15th day of the month Adar are holidays.

Arent de Gelder also depicted the writing of the second letter of Purim.