Megillah (scroll) of Esther
Ferrara, 5377 (1616–1617) Ink and watercolor on parchment rolled on wood, h 27 cm Jerusalem, The National Library of Israel. “Ktiv” Project מאוסף הספרייה הלאומית. פרוייקט “כתיב”
Moshe ben Avraham Pescarol, or Pescarolo, was active in Ferrara between 1615 and 1624. From that period, three decorated megillot remain, including this one commissioned by Mordechai Yosef, son of Eliyahu Ha Levi from Brescello (Reggio Emilia). The name of the commissioner is on the first sheet of the parchment, while the artist’s signature, date, and city of execution are on the last sheet. The illustrations also draw inspiration from rabbinic literature, including the Midrash Rabbah, which provides the scene of Vashti’s decapitation, absent from the narrative of the Book of Esther.
SR