Rembrandt Chooses a Queen

"Rembrandt’s apprentice finds a way to impress the master.

Samuel, a Jewish boy, aspires to more than cleaning brushes, but if he wants to paint, he’ll have to work all day. Samuel can only work mornings, however; his father is the director of the yeshiva, and he insists that Samuel spend his afternoons studying. Papa thinks painting is “frivolous,” though Samuel’s older sister, Isabel, gently tells Papa that the boy has real talent. The next day, as Rembrandt poses models for a Purim-themed painting—what will become Ahasuerus and Haman at the Feast of Esther—Samuel tells him that his proud, haughty Esther is unsuitable. Rembrandt agrees, and Samuel realizes that modest Isabel is the perfect candidate for Queen Esther. When Rembrandt meets Isabel and hears her motivation (“Esther is humble, faithful, and proud to be Jewish…She’s my hero”), he places a crown atop her head—and then invites Samuel to paint this section of the work. Even Papa is impressed—Samuel incorporates his yeshiva learning into the painting—and asks Rembrandt to come to the synagogue for Purim tonight. Written by two rabbis, this warm story gives readers an accessible introduction to the 17th-century artist, demonstrating his regard for Amsterdam’s Jewish community; backmatter offers further information. Dominated by earth tones, Battistel’s painterly images evoke Rembrandt’s own work and capture the period well.

An uplifting historical tale exploring the intersection of art history and religion." —Kirkus Reviews

"Cinzia Battistel’s art brings the light of Amsterdam indoors as it still falls in Rembrandt’s actual studio. The double page spread of this workspace including placement of the easel at the window and the table and tools where paint was ground are true to what visitors touring this space today will find. Inside Samuel’s home the illustrator includes details of a mezuzah, a painting of Jerusalem, as well as an interior setting typical of that time and place. The fabled architecture and canals of old Amsterdam along with the traditional clothing of the time immerse us in this story.

It is refreshing to visit this friendly world where Jews found religious freedom so long ago with peaceful friendship among the different groups of people living closely together. Backmatter includes information about the holiday of Purim and of Rembrandt, focusing on his connections to Jewish life in Amsterdam. This title is recommended for all libraries." —Association of Jewish Libraries