October 2, 2026
On October 2nd, the New England Branch gathered with Branch President Tom Bogart and Manager of Programs and Events Adèle Chuchla for a lunch and private tour of The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. This exhibit, the first major exhibition of 17th-century Dutch art at the Gardner, uncovered how this Jewish heroine from the Old Testament became an icon in the 17th-century Netherlands across faiths.
The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt showcased how Esther’s story of an orphan becoming a Persian queen to save her people by risking her life in revealing her origins became inspiration for the national identity of both Jewish and Christian communities in the 1600s Netherlands. For Jewish communities, Esther became a symbol of open religious expression and pride in their faith. Dutch Christians, especially Protestants, saw themselves in Esther as they fought for independence from Catholic Spain.
As the Jewish community grew in Amsterdam during this time, so did trade with the Middle East, and the interest in Esther and Persia further expanded. A recurring subject for Rembrandt and fellow contemporary artists, Esther captured the imagination and inspired artists throughout the Netherlands. Using an array of media, including Dutch paintings, tapestries, decorative arts, Persian textiles, and Jewish ceremonial objects, this exhibit was a treasure trove for understanding the culture and national mentality of the Dutch Republic during the 17th century. Read more about the exhibit here.
