181 - Maarten van Heemskerck, Philips Galle - The Story of Esther - Complete series (10) - 1564

Maarten van Heemskerck, Philips Galle - The Story of Esther - Complete series (10) - 1564 Description: A complete series of 10 engravings made by Philips Galle after Maarten van Heemskerck and published in 1564. Esther, a Jewish woman living in Persia, becomes queen to King Ahasuerus. Her cousin Mordecai uncovers a conspiracy to annihilate all Jews, engineered by Haman, a high-ranking official. Esther bravely approaches the king without being summoned in order to plead for her people. At a banquet she exposes Haman’s plot, resulting in his execution and the reversal of the decree. The Jewish people are saved, and the holiday of Purim is established to celebrate their deliverance. These story is shown in ten scenes: 1 Esther Crowned by King Ahasuerus 2 Mordecai Overhearing a Plot 3 Ahasuerus Commissions the Decree to Destroy the 4 Esther’s Servants Tell Her of Mordecai’s Refusal of the Raiment 5 Esther Inviting Ahasuerus to a Banquet 6 Ahasuerus Consulting the Chronicles 7 Ahasuerus Consulting Haman 8 Esther Accusing Haman at the Banquet - Nice uniform wide margined set signed Martinus Heemskerck Inventor - Philips Galle excudit. With the publishers address of Carel de Mallery (1571-1635) Dimensions: 25,00 x 20,50 cm Condition: Good impressions with wide margins on early watermarked laid paper. In good condition. Faded pencil inscriptions in the margins beneath the prints. Literature: New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) / The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts 1450-1700 (Maarten van Heemskerck)(151-158) Medium: Engraving Date: 1564