01 Works, RELIGIOUS ART - Interpretation of the bible, Esther, With Footnotes - 168

Artus Wolffort, (1581–1641) 

Esther's Toilet in the Harem of Ahasuerus, circa 1620

Oil on panel

Height: 59.4 cm (23.3 ″); Width: 81 cm (31.8 ″)

Victoria and Albert Museum

This subject was depicted by Wolffort several times, which attests to its popularity. The scene derives from the Book of Esther in the Old Testament, which tells the story of how an orphaned Jewish woman is selected by King Ahasuerus of Persia to become his queen. In this painting, Esther is the standing figure at center, drying her body with a white cloth. She is surrounded by seven maids, which King Ahasuerus assigned to her after she was summoned to his harem. They were called to help prepare Esther before she met the king. Other interesting elements in this work are the statues in niches, which starting from left to right, depict  Diana, Venus with Cupid and Saturn devouring his children. The painting at upper center is said to depict the Judgement of Paris. More on this painting

Artus Wolffort, Artus Wolffaert or Artus Wolffaerts (1581–1641) was a Flemish painter known mainly for his history paintings depicting religious and mythological scenes.

Wolffort was born in Antwerp and moved with his parents to Dordrecht. He trained as a painter in Dordrecht where he joined the local Guild of Saint Luke in 1603. He returned to Antwerp around 1615. He became a member of the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1617.[5]

Artus Wolffort likely operated a workshop in Antwerp, which produced various copies of his works. 

His pupils included his son Jan Baptist Wolfaerts, Pieter van Lint, Pieter van Mol and Lucas Smout the Elder. He died in Antwerp. More on Artus Wolffort

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