Rowdy Life (Baroque Purim)

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Marc Epstein describes this Esther scroll (probably German, ca. 1700) as a “folksy Baroque style.” Busy, crowded, full of life and charming architectural features, the illumination captures the rowdy urban milieu of the story. It’s a little like Where’s Waldo?. The action moves from right to left, from the banquet scene with King Ahashverus to a majestic Queen Esther presiding over a crew of attending Jewish women as they leave the city gates towards her.

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About zjb

Zachary Braiterman is Professor of Religion in the Department of Religion at Syracuse University. His specialization is modern Jewish thought and philosophical aesthetics. http://religion.syr.edu
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