Artist Edwin Long. "Esther", 1878
National Gallery of Victoria
A steely gaze stops you halfway. Dark, squinted, under an emerald green gem, the eyes pierce. She is full of determination.
Behind this look and tightly clenched hands lies the story of an adopted Jewish woman from Susa.
As the second wife of a Persian king, Esther (Esther) hid her identity in order to survive.
But having learned about the planned decree on the murder of all Jews, she risked her life by sneaking into the chambers of the king and persuading him to cancel the decree.
The story of Esther is immortalized in the Jewish holiday of Purim.
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