Details
Contributor Smith, Xanthus, 1839-1929, former owner.
Title [E]spousal of Esther. [graphic].
Publisher [United States]
Publisher UNITED STATES. 1875
Date [ca. 1875]
Physical Description 1 photograph : transparency on glass, hand colored with wood mount ; mount 18 x 10 cm (7 x 3.75 in.) (lantern slide format)
Description Lantern slide formerly owned and probably used in art lessons by Philadelphia painter, photographer, and art teacher, Xanthus Smith. Depicts the proposal of marriage of Persian King Ahasuerus to the Hebrew Esther. In the center, the King stands from his grand, golden throne, attired in a crown and robes, and holds a scepter in his left hand. He reaches his right hand out to Esther, attired in a white dress and veil and a gold necklace and bracelets. Behind her are attendants, one of which holds a parasol over her. A Black woman, attired in a red and gold dress and a gold necklace and earrings, kneels carrying the future Queen’s crown on a red pillow. In the right, women musicians play the harp and drum. Also in the image are several censors of burning incense.
Notes Title from partially legible label on mount.
Number 21 in "Bible History" series.
Gift of Edna Andrade, 1994.
RVCDC
Description revised 2021.
Access points revised 2021.
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Subject Esther, Queen of Persia.
Xerxes I, King of Persia, 519 B.C.-465 B.C. or 464 B.C.
Bible. Esther.
Crowns.
Marriage proposals.
Racism in popular culture.
Servants.
Women, Black.
Black women.
Genre Lantern slides -- Hand-colored -- 1870-1880.
Provenance Smith, Xanthus, 1839-1929, former owner.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Lantern Slides-Smith, Xanthus [P.9471]
Accession number P.9471