Paul Alexandre Alfred LEROY (Paris 1860-1942) Study for Haman and Mordecai Original canvas Dedicated, titled and signed lower left "A D. Verichin / étude pour le "Mardoché". / Paul Leroy". 73 x 45 cm (old restorations) The work presented here is a study for Haman and Mordecai, a monumental canvas for which Leroy won the Salon Prize in 1884 (no. 1522), now in the Museum of Western and Oriental Art in Odessa, Ukraine. Paul Alexandre Alfred Leroy spent part of his childhood in Odessa and entered the city's School of Fine Arts in 1873. On his return to France at the age of 17, he was admitted to the Beaux-Arts de Paris in Alexandre Cabanel's studio. After winning prizes at the Salon in 1882 and 1884, he was awarded a travel grant that enabled him to set off to discover Egypt, Algeria and Turkey. Although he already had an interest in the Orient, these trips enabled him to fill his sketchbooks and add to his collection of Oriental earthenware and clothing. Along with Baron Arthur Chassériau, Etienne Dinet and a dozen other painters, he was a founder member of the Société des peintres orientalistes français in 1893. He designed the society's emblem and faithfully participated in its exhibitions until 1933. All the objects and souvenirs he collected on his travels were transcribed in genre scenes - such as The Weaver of Bisvira (1889) in the Musée d'Orsay - or religious scenes - such as Jesus in the House of Martha and Mary (1882) in the Beaux-Arts in Rouen. The work we are presenting here is a study for Haman and Mordecai, a monumental canvas for which Leroy won the Salon Prize in 1884, now in the Museum of Western and Oriental Art in Odessa. The scene is taken from the biblical book of Esther. Mordecai was a fourth-generation Judean exile from the kingdom of Judah and lived in Persia with his niece Esther, whom he brought up as his own daughter. The young woman joined the harem and became the wife of King Ahasuerus. But Mordecai is in conflict with the king's minister, Haman. Haman cannot stand Mordecai's attitude, as he is the only member of the court who refuses to bow down to him, a practice forbidden by Judaism. Paul Leroy chose to depict this scene of Mordecai's disdain. Outraged, Haman had a decree published providing for the extermination of all the Jews of Persia. Mordecai and his niece managed to influence the king and thwart his plans. The day Haman was hanged and fate turned in favour of the Jewish people is still celebrated on Purim.