Jozef door zijn broers verkocht 1579 - 1643

Johann Sadeler’s engraving depicts the biblical scene of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers. The well, a dark pit, becomes a powerful symbol of betrayal and abandonment, a motif recurring throughout art history to represent psychological states of despair and isolation. Note the stark contrast between the active gestures of Joseph’s brothers and his own passive pose. This dynamic echoes in later works, such as Caravaggio’s depictions of martyrdom, where the victim's helplessness intensifies the emotional impact. Consider, too, the bag of money being exchanged. This symbol of greed reminds us how base motivations drive human actions, a theme found in Renaissance art and beyond. This act of betrayal is a primal scene, an emotional trauma that resonates through time. The image taps into our collective memory of injustice and the pain of separation, revealing the cyclical nature of human suffering. The symbols endure, their meanings evolving, but their emotional power remains undiminished.