Esther, Ahasveros and Haman

Of all biblical figures queen Esther was most preferably for Aert de Gelder. Probably 17 pictures devoted de Gelder to this Jewish heroine, who by her brave performance at the court of the Persian king Ahasveros saved her people. Thanks to Mordechai, the plans of Haman, who wanted to eradicate the Jews, timely drained. The refined exposure and the means of pictorials - with paintbrush, knife and paintbrush he painted in the spirit of his master Rembrandt.

Feminine allegoric figure

This picture became for a long time seen as pendant of a portrait of Hendrik Noteman. The painting is supposedly a lump of a bigger picture that in a auction in 1785 occurred as 'The Freedom' The work of the Dordrechts Museum does not seem anyhow meant as a portrait. The staff in the hand of the woman and her outfit indicate previously in the tendency of an allegoric figure.

Portrait of the sculptor Henrdrik Noteman

The sculptor Hendrik Noteman retains a hammer in the one hand and a chisel in the other. On the background of picture a piece of work is seen, made of stone hewed or molded head.

King David

Ernestus van Beveren (1660-1722)

Ernestus van Bevren was twenty-five years old when Arent de Gelder painted him, just beginning his career. At this time, Van Beveren had already gained a degree in law from the University of Anjou. This indicates that, in his youth, he had made a 'grand tour' In the 17th century a fashion emerged among the wealthy to round off a young persn's education with a long journey. This Grand Tour would usually be undertaken with a tutor, past the various sights of Europe. Invariably, the tour would lead to Italy, where the stay might stretch for months, if not years. Ernest van Beveren is wearing a heavy black robe trimmed with gold embroidery over a tunic. Van Beveren is resting one hand on the table while the other is held out as though he were giving a speech. He became Lord of West-IJsselmonde and the Lindt. He became  a prominent citizen of Dordrecht, serving as alderman and for a short time burgomaster of Dordrecht

Judah and Tamar

This painting shows the moment when Tamar demands the pledges from Judah. Old Testament stories were popular subjects for paintings in 17th-century Holland and contemporary viewers would have immediately recognised the source for this picture.

Simeon's Song of Praise

The forecourt of the Temple

Portrait of a Young Woman

Self-Portrait at an Easel Painting an Old Woman

On the Way to Golgotha

The Jewish Bride (Esther Bedecked)

Esther and Mordochai

Self-portrait

De Gelder is holding an etching by Rembrandt in his hands.

Portrait of Gérard de Lairesse

Ahimelech Giving the Sword of Goliath to David

Rest on the Flight to Egypt

The "Rest on the Flight to Egypt" is an old subject for paintings, going back to the middle ages. It illustrates Matthew 2:12-14: And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own Country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.

Schoolmaster with his Pupils

The influence of Rembrandt, de Gelder's teacher, is apparent in the artist's expressionistic handling of paint and interest in the depiction of age and knowledge. However, de Gelder has expanded Rembrandt's color palette and given additional emphasis to the specific gestures and poses of his figures. Note how the students bend intently over their writing desks, and the schoolmaster braces a shaking left hand against his cane.

Portrait of a Boy

Esther at her toilet

The Archangel Raphael

Joseph weeping in his room, his brothers beyond

Old Woman at Prayer

A military encampment on the Campus Martius before the Ponte Molle, Mount Soracte

Battaglia

Landscape with Farmer house