Beautiful Esther” Exhibition at MEIS Explores the Timeless Story of Purim

A captivating new exhibition, Beautiful Esther. Purim, A Timeless Story, is set to open this week at the National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah (MEIS) in Ferrara, Italy, just in time for Purim. This unique exhibit delves into the Jewish festival of Purim and its inspiring heroine, Queen Esther, bringing her legendary tale to life through Renaissance art, rare parchments, historical artifacts, and interactive installations.

The exhibition unfolds across four interconnected themes, showcasing exquisite Renaissance masterpieces, ancient scrolls, and cultural treasures that narrate Esther’s courageous journey. Her story, a testament to bravery and resilience, follows a young Jewish woman who thwarts the wicked Haman’s plot and saves her people from destruction.

Visitors will experience a visually stunning and historically rich exploration of Purim, making this exhibition a must-see for art lovers, history enthusiasts, and those interested in Jewish heritage.

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The outstanding selection of illuminated megillot — scrolls of the Book of Esther — includes an extremely rare 17th century parchment scroll made in Ferrara by Moshe Ben Avraham Pescarol on loan from the National Library of Israel — meaning that the scroll will temporarily be returning to its place of creation.

A 1616 illuminated scroll of the Book of Esther, created by Pescarol for Mordechai Ben Eliyahu Halevi of Brescello, near Ferrara, stands as a testament to the text’s unique nature. The Book of Esther, notably absent of any mention of God, is the only book in the Hebrew Bible that allows for illustrated scrolls without violating Jewish law. Dr. Chaim Neria, Curator of the Haim and Hanna Solomon Judaica Collection at the National Library of Israel, confirms that the scroll’s history is documented within its own pages.

“This illuminated megillah is one of the most special in the Library’s collection and one of the earliest. As far as is known, it is the first in the Jewish world where the illustrations are also part of the narrative, meaning the illustrations — which are contemporary to Italian art of the time — are not just decoration but also try to tell the story.”

Oren Weinberg, CEO of the National Library of Israel, said, “The National Library of Israel (NLI) is delighted to be collaborating with MEIS on the Beautiful Esther, Purim, A Timeless Story exhibit , enabling the public in Italy, to see this important megillah on display back in its place of origin, testifying to the richness of Italian Jewish Book Heritage, and providing a beautiful telling of Esther’s story. We see institutional partnerships, such as between MEIS and NLI, as an integral part of the Library’s mission to reach international audiences and to share our collections and expertise to the Jewish world and beyond.”

Beautiful Esther. Purim, A Timeless Story runs from March 12-June 15, 2025 at the Museo Nazionale dell’Ebraismo Italiano e della Shoah – MEIS – National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah, via Piangipane 81, Ferrara, Italy.

Beautiful Esther. Purim, A Timeless Story explores the Biblical figure of Queen Esther through Renaissance art, precious parchments, historical artefacts, and interactive installations. The exhibition consists of four intertwining themes that unfold through Renaissance works of art, precious parchments and historical artefacts that tell Esther’s story: a young woman who changes the fate of her people by foiling the plan of the King’s advisor, the wicked Haman.

The exhibition was curated by Amedeo Spagnoletto, Olga Melasecchi and Marina Caffiero, with the collaboration of Sharon Reichel, and designed by architect Giulia Gallerani. It is an expanded version of a 2024 exhibition, held at the Jewish Museum of Rome, with the addition of new works and concepts.