King Ahasuerus Presents Mordecai with his Ring 1681 - 1684

Aert de Gelder made this painting, “King Ahasuerus Presents Mordecai with his Ring,” using oil paints, a material that allows for the smooth blending and layering of color we see here. Oil paint was not exactly an industrial material, but was certainly a commercially available one, by the 17th century. De Gelder was known for his handling of impasto, applying paint thickly to build texture, and using a palette knife to create expressive marks. This approach allowed him to create a sense of drama and movement. Think of the rich brown of the steps in the lower right, which seem almost to be made of worked wood. It is easy to imagine him building up those areas with long strokes. De Gelder clearly appreciated the inherent qualities of his material. He used oil paint's ability to mimic the textures, and weights of different materials to create a rich and engaging visual experience. The labor invested in the creation of the painting is evident, with the artist fully embracing and exploiting the qualities of the oil paint medium.