Photograph entitled 'King Ahasuerus & Queen Esther' taken by Julia Margaret Cameron in 1865. Albumen contact print from wet collodion negative. This photographic study of the author Henry Taylor (1800-1886), Mary Ryan (1848-1914) and Mary Kellaway (born 1846) forms part of the Herschel Album, created by Cameron for her friend Sir John Herschel (1792-1871). Cameron's inspiration for this photograph came from the Bible. Esther appeared in 'glorious apparel' to persuade King Ahasuerus to overturn his order to kill all the Jews in his kingdom: 'The queen fell down, and was pale, and fainted, and bowed her head upon the head of the maid that went with her.'
Details
- Category:
- Photographs
- Object Number:
- 1984-5017/77
- Materials:
- paper (fibre product)
- Measurements:
-
overall: 317 mm x 271 mm
- type:
- photograph and albumen print
- copyright:
- National Science and Media Museum
- credit:
- Sotheby's
