1690
oil
canvas
From the collection of National Gallery of Victoria
Dominant colour
King Ahasuerus condemning Haman is a 1690 oil by Arent de Gelder, a Dutch Golden Age work, depicting Ahasuerus, held at National Gallery of Victoria.
This painting depicts a dramatic scene where a king, dressed in dark attire and a hat adorned with feathers, sits at a table with a red cloth. He holds a dagger in his right hand, while a silver goblet stands on the table before him. To his left, a figure in a hooded cloak is visible, although their face is obscured. The king's dark clothing and the overall somber atmosphere suggest a serious and possibly ominous moment. The presence of the dagger and the king's stern expression imply a sense of tension or conflict. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and drama to the scene. This painting is reminiscent of the works of Rembrandt, a master of chiaroscuro.
Aert de Gelder (Dutch: ; October 26, 1645 – August 27, 1727) was a Dutch painter, the only Dutch artist to paint in the tradition of Rembrandt's late style into the 18th century.
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