Queen Esther Mosaics

DIPTYCH, 64" x 88" Each panel 64" x 44" Smalti, Gems, Gold, Millefiori, Vitreous Glass on Honeycomb Panel. Completed in September 2009. Queen Esther Seeking Permission to Speak (Diptych)

During the biblical story, as in my series, Esther, undergoes a dramatic transformation: the Esther at the beginning of the story is a passive, obedient Esther, a marionette doll whose strings are pulled by several men. "Be beautiful and keep quiet" is the message she is given and she understands the message well. Later though, [...]

48" x 32", Venetian glass, smalti, gold tesserae, gems, gold leaf on wood panel. Completed in August 2002. A frightened Queen Esther is carefully making her way to her quarters hoping no one is following her. I made use of exaggerated chiaroscuro in order to emphasize the drama of such a moment. In her [...]

75" x 33", Venetian vitreous glass, gold tessera, gems, gold leaf on wood panel. Oct 2001 - completed in May 2002. This piece depicts an unhappy, albeit rich young Esther, whose hands are “tied” when it comes to approaching her husband with such a serious accusation and extraordinary request. Despite all the riches available [...]

38" x 104", Smalti, Venetian vitreous glass, gold tessera, gold leaf on wood panel. Completed in April 2003. This work is a diptych; the two panels connected by a piece of wrought iron with the same design appearing in the mosaic. It is the very tense scene of the banquet of King Ahasuerus, Queen [...]

70" x 43", Ravenna smalti, gold tessera, gems, gold leaf on wood panel. Completed in April 2004. This mosaic shows the image of young Esther at just that fateful moment when her name is called… the winner, the future Queen. She appears frightened but determined in her elegant white dress, the symbol of purity [...]

36" x 23.5", Venetian Vitreous Glass, smalti, gems, gold tessera, gold leaf on panel. Completed in November 2004. This is a private moment in Queen Esther’s difficult situation after realizing the seriousness of the decree written by Haman. I portray her as a thoughtful figure with eyes full of unspoken misfortunes. Identity concealment forces [...]

64" x 64" Smalti, gems, gold tessera, gold leaf on panel. Completed 2005. This triptych mosaic image depicts a scene in the harem of King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther’s Palace in Susa. Mordechai just brought Haman’s decree which announces the proposed genocide of Esther’s people in Persia. Esther is reeling as she reads the [...]

70" x 33" Venetian Vitreous Glass, smalti, gems, gold tessera, gold leaf on panel. Completed in March 2006. This mosaic depicts the reward bestowed upon Mordechai for his loyalty to the King. (Mordechai had alerted the King of a secret plot arranged by some of his eunuchs to assassinate him). In a farcical turn [...]

48" x 33" Iridium smalti, gems, gold tessera, gold leaf on panel. Completed in August 2006. This is the last mosaic of the Series in chronological order. A mature and confident Queen Esther in her most expensive and beautiful attire is removing the mask (the symbol of her secret identity) revealing an intelligent and [...]

23" x 30" Millefiori, Pearls, Gold, Smalti, Vitreous on Honeycomb Panel 23" x 30". Completed in September 2007. As part of an ongoing Queen (biblical) Esther Series, this mosaic suggests a private conversation between two high ranking persons at the royal court who are secretly scheming. The tension of this dialogue rests in the [...]