Lucas Van Leyden (1494-1533) - Esther before Ahasuerus - Original

\Artist: Lucas Van Leyden (1494-1533)
Technique: Engraving\Signature: Not signed\Dimensions: 253_226_1_mm
Esther before Ahasuerus; the king seated on throne at left with his sceptre in his right hand raised towards Esther and his left hand extended to take her right hand; Esther kneeling before him facing towards the left with two maidens behind her; behind this central group members of the court, and more figures in doorway at back r; a city view over back wall. 1518 Engraving made by: Lucas van Leyden (1494-1533) Guaranteed original. Reference: Bartsch / Le Peintre graveur (VII. 354. 31) New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) / The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts 1450-1700 (31. I) One of the larger spectacular engravings by Lucas van Leyden, made in 1518 when he was 24 years old. This engraving has the same watermark in the paper as the one shown in the catalogue of the exhibition of the prints by Van Leyden in the Rijksmuseum in 1978. It is a silvery impression trimmed on the plate border on three sides but inside the image at bottom with omission of a part of the plint with the signature L by Van Leyden and the signature 1518. Top left corner defected.