The Musée d’art et d’histoire du Judaïsme (MahJ) in Paris has acquired a large panel attributed to the workshop of Frans Francken II, depicting Esther and Ahasuerus. The painting, which previously belonged to Marcel Proust after he inherited it from his mother in 1905, was purchased directly from the writer's descendants in spring 2025, funded by a donation from a Rothschild family foundation. The work was already on loan to the museum as part of a private collection and has now been added to its permanent display.
This acquisition matters because it enriches the MahJ's collection with a historically significant Baroque painting that also carries a notable literary provenance, linking the work to one of France's most celebrated authors, Marcel Proust. The purchase underscores the continued role of major philanthropic foundations in supporting museum acquisitions and preserving cultural heritage. It also highlights the museum's commitment to expanding its holdings of artworks that explore Jewish themes and history.