Harvard Art Museums > 1936.16: Court Betrothal Scene Textile Arts Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Court Betrothal Scene (Unidentified Artist) , 1936.16,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Dec 22, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/215266. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 1936.16 People Unidentified Artist Title Court Betrothal Scene Other Titles Former Title: Esther Before Ahasuerus Classification Textile Arts Work Type tapestry Date c. 1500 Places Creation Place: Europe, Belgium, Brussels Culture Flemish Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/215266 Physical Descriptions Medium Textile fibers Dimensions 203.2 x 256.5 cm (80 x 101 in.) Provenance Recorded Ownership History Miss Belle Hunt, bequest; to Fogg Art Museum, 1936 Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Bequest of Miss Belle Hunt Accession Year 1936 Object Number 1936.16 Division European and American Art Contact am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description A king dressed in an ermine-lined cloak and seated under a baldachin receives a young woman who kneels in front of him. The woman is accompanied by a group of maidservants. The subject has been described by Krongard as a betrothal scene. It could represent Esther's audience with Ahasuerus (Book of Esther 4-5). Although Ahasuerus is usually shown extending his scepter toward Esther, he is also portrayed as outstretching his arms toward her as an expression of concern and sympathy. The bearded man standing in between the two might be Haman, Ahasuerus's main advisor. The style, composition and costume types are consistent with tapestry production in Brussels around 1500. The tapestry was cut down and new floral borders were added. Verification Level This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of European and American Art at am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu
