Esther and Mordecai

Arent de Gelder's Esther and Mordecai from 1685 depicts a scene from the Book of Esther, a subject the artist treated repeatedly throughout his career. De Gelder was one of Rembrandt's last pupils, studying with him in the early 1660s, and he remained faithful to Rembrandt's late style long after other Dutch painters had abandoned it in favor of classicism. His persistence in this unfashionable manner makes him a crucial link in preserving the Rembrandtesque tradition into the eighteenth century.

De Gelder's technique closely follows Rembrandt's late manner, with rich impasto, warm golden palette, and dramatic chiaroscuro. The handling of exotic costumes and fabrics shows the influence of Rembrandt's orientalist interests applied with de Gelder's own expressive freedom.