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In New York: Rembrandt’s Enigmatic Jewish Heroine

The Dutch master’s painting is featured in The Jewish Museum’s exhibition ‘The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt.’
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In New York: Rembrandt’s Enigmatic Jewish Heroine
“A Jewish Heroine From the Hebrew Bible,” 1632–1633, by Rembrandt van Rijn. Oil on canvas; 43 inches by 37 3/16 inches. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa
Lorraine Ferrier
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For The Jewish Museum in New York City, the woman in Rembrandt’s “A Jewish Heroine From the Hebrew Bible” represents Esther, as it’s currently on display in the museum’s “The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt” exhibition.

But is Rembrandt’s Jewish heroine really Esther?

Lorraine Ferrier
Lorraine Ferrier
Author
Lorraine Ferrier writes about fine arts and craftsmanship for The Epoch Times. She focuses on artists and artisans, primarily in North America and Europe, who imbue their works with beauty and traditional values. She's especially interested in giving a voice to the rare and lesser-known arts and crafts, in the hope that we can preserve our traditional art heritage. She lives and writes in a London suburb, in England.