This stained glass window, designed by Henry Holiday and made by James Powell & Sons (Whitefriars Glass) in 1891, forms part of the exquisite series in Salisbury Cathedral depicting notable women of the Bible. Like the companion panels of Sarah and Hannah, it combines refined artistry with devotional symbolism, presenting Ruth and Esther as exemplars of faith, courage, and virtue.

On the left, Ruth is portrayed as the humble gleaner, bearing a sheaf of wheat across her shoulders — a reference to her steadfast loyalty to Naomi and her labor in the fields of Bethlehem (Ruth 2:2). Her calm, earnest expression and simple white-gold robes evoke purity, devotion, and quiet strength. The sheaf she carries also foreshadows her place in the lineage of David and, by extension, of Christ himself.

On the right, Esther, the courageous queen who saved her people, stands poised and dignified, lifting one hand to adjust her veil. Her attire is richly adorned with golden patterns and a jewelled headdress, signifying her royal status. In her bearing there is both grace and resolve — a visual echo of her brave declaration, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).

The deep blue background and intricate architectural canopies frame the two figures with balance and solemnity, uniting humility and majesty in a single composition. As in Holiday’s other works for Powell & Sons, the figures are harmoniously drawn, their faces imbued with gentle humanity, their draperies patterned with exquisite detail inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement.

Together, Ruth and Esther embody complementary virtues: Ruth’s steadfast devotion and Esther’s fearless intercession. In Holiday’s hands, they become timeless archetypes of faith and fortitude, rendered with all the grace, dignity, and quiet splendor characteristic of his 1891 Salisbury Cathedral series.