The Degradation of Haman before Ahasuerus and Esther

The Degradation of Haman before Ahasuerus and Esther is a powerful drawing executed by the School of Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606-1669) contemporary with Govert Flinck (Dutch, 1615-1660), notably bearing corrections attributed to Rijn himself or a close workshop member. Created between 1630 and 1639, this piece is classified as a drawing, skillfully utilizing pen and brown ink alongside brush and brown wash on cream laid paper. This complex attribution reflects the intensive, collaborative, and educational environment characteristic of Rijn’s workshop during the Dutch Golden Age.

The subject, drawn from the Old Testament Book of Esther, captures the dramatic moment of the villain Haman’s political ruin following Queen Esther’s revelation to King Ahasuerus. The drawing technique emphasizes expressive contrasts; the artist employed deep tones of the brown wash to create intense shadows and highlight the emotional turmoil of the central figures. This characteristic use of chiaroscuro and focus on profound narrative tension links the work directly to the aesthetic innovations that defined the art of the Netherlands during this period.

The skillful handling, particularly where the presumed corrections by Rijn are evident, provides essential insight into the rigorous standards maintained within the master’s studio practice. This study serves as a primary example of how Rembrandtian ideas were disseminated among his pupils, influencing 17th-century visual culture. Today, this drawing resides in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a historically significant piece, high-resolution images are often made available to the public domain, allowing students and collectors to study the subtle details of the technique and the dramatic composition of The Degradation of Haman before Ahasuerus and Esther, often obtaining prints for scholarly reference.