Joseph Interpreting the Dreams in Prison 1512

Lucas van Leyden made this small engraving, "Joseph Interpreting the Dreams in Prison," in the first decades of the 16th century. Van Leyden was working in a period of religious reformation, during which the interpretation of biblical stories became increasingly important. Here, we see Joseph, a figure from the Hebrew Bible, using his divinely granted ability to interpret the dreams of his fellow prisoners. Look at the ways in which the dreams are presented – almost like thought bubbles – floating above the prisoners’ heads. Notice how Joseph seems to be at the center of both the image and the act of interpretation. It’s intriguing to consider how, during the Reformation, interpreting scripture became a way for individuals to engage directly with religious texts and ideas, challenging the authority of the Church. Van Leyden's choice of this subject reflects the period’s emphasis on personal understanding and engagement with faith. The intimate scale of the engraving mirrors the personal nature of faith and interpretation.