ARTWORKS

The Wrath of Ahasuerus

Jan Steen (1625/1626–1679)

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

The Wrath of Ahasuerus

Image credit: The Henry Barber Trust, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham

How you can use this image

 

This image is available to be shared and re-used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (CC BY-NC-ND).

You can reproduce this image for non-commercial purposes and you are not able to change or modify it in any way.

Wherever you reproduce the image you must attribute the original creators (acknowledge the original artist(s) and the person/organisation that took the photograph of the work) and any other rights holders.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find more images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Download
More information

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

King Ahasuerus rises in fury as his wife Esther reveals the treachery of his chief minister Haman, who cringes to the left. According to the Bible, Haman plotted to massacre the Jews in the Persian empire. Queen Esther summoned the two men to a banquet where she revealed the plot and her own Jewish identity. The King’s violent reaction overthrows a vase and a peacock pie – symbol of Haman’s fallen pride. Jan Steen is better known for his exuberant scenes of peasant life, full of humour. Even in a biblical story, a love of melodramatic drama and colourful detail shines through.

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Birmingham

Read more on The Barber Institute of Fine Arts Read more on NICE paintings
Title

The Wrath of Ahasuerus

Date

c.1671–1673

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 129 x W 167 cm

Accession number

39.22

Acquisition method

purchased, 1939

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

Signed: J. Steen [JS in monogram]

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Learn more Tag this
Normally on display at

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2TS England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue

Artist or maker

Jan Steen

1625/1626–1679

View profile
  • Christ in the House of Martha and Mary
    Christ in the House of Martha and Mary Pollok House
  • The Skittle Players
    The Skittle Players Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge
  • The Doctor's Visit
    The Doctor's Visit University of Edinburgh
  • The Lute Player
    The Lute Player The Wallace Collection
  • Interior with a Painter and His Family
    Interior with a Painter and His Family The Fitzwilliam Museum
  • The Rommelpot: Interior with Three Figures
    The Rommelpot: Interior with Three Figures Manchester Art Gallery
  • Mother and Child
    Mother and Child York Art Gallery
  • 58 more