Haman Disgraced Before Esther and Ahasuerus
French School, circa 1820
Oil on original canvas
Dimensions: 104 × 142 cm
Condition: Old restorations
Attributed to: Charles-Amédée Van Loo (unsigned)
This dramatic biblical scene illustrates the moment in which Queen Esther denounces Haman before King Ahasuerus, exposing his plot to exterminate the Jewish people — a pivotal event from the Book of Esther, rich in political and moral symbolism.
The subject gained renewed prominence in 1775, when it was selected for the Prix de Rome competition:
•First Prize was awarded to Jean Bonvoisin (École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts, Paris)
• Second Prize went to Jean-Baptiste Regnault (private collection) and Jean-Charles Nicaise Perrin (ENSBA)
Provenance:
• Public auction, Parthenay (Maître Vergnault), 9 June 1974, lot 260bis, listed as “Scene of revolt,” 18th-century French School, sold for 3,400 francs (possibly to Levêque)
• Acquired from Mr. Levêque (?) in January 1975 for 5,000 francs
