Jozef door zijn broers verkocht 1615

Orazio Borgianni made this print, “Joseph Sold by his Brothers,” in Italy sometime around the turn of the 17th century. The image depicts a biblical scene. But how does the image create meaning? Well, in this period, printmaking was increasingly important for disseminating ideas and images to a wider audience. It allowed artists to circulate their work beyond the confines of the church or aristocratic palace and engage with a broader public. Borgianni’s choice of this medium suggests an ambition to make a statement with a particular message. The image offers a commentary on the treacherous nature of family relations and perhaps even a warning about the corrupting influence of greed. To understand this artwork better, one could research the market for prints in early modern Italy and consider the role of religious imagery in shaping social attitudes. By examining such social and institutional contexts, we can gain a richer appreciation of the power of art to engage with its own time.