Joseph and Potiphar's Wife c. 1805 - 1815

Editor: This is Richard Cosway’s "Joseph and Potiphar's Wife." The figures feel so dynamic, caught in a dramatic moment. How do you interpret the story being told here? Curator: For me, it's all in the lines, isn't it? See how Joseph almost bursts off the page, a whirlwind of virtue, while Potiphar’s wife seems to melt into the cushions, a study in languid accusation? The shading casts her in a, shall we say, less than flattering light, don't you think? Editor: Definitely! It’s as if her moral standing is reflected in the shadows. I hadn’t thought about it that way. Curator: Exactly! Cosway isn't just illustrating a story; he's offering a commentary, a very pointed one, wouldn't you say? A reminder that sometimes, the loudest voices are the ones hiding the most. Editor: A powerful perspective. This piece definitely offers a deeper understanding than I initially realized.