Het bloederige kleed van Jozef aan Jacob getoond 1515 - 1519

Lucas van Leyden created this woodcut, "The Bloody Coat of Joseph Brought to Jacob," in the early 16th century. During this period, the Netherlands was undergoing significant religious and social upheaval. The narrative depicts a biblical scene of deception and grief. Jacob is presented with the bloodied robe of his son Joseph, leading him to believe Joseph is dead. Van Leyden situates this story within a detailed Northern European landscape which perhaps underscores the personal and emotional weight of the scene. Jacob is depicted as an old, broken man, his body slumping. The messenger displays the coat, a symbol of lost innocence, stained with the brutal evidence of violence. This deeply human portrayal of anguish is set against a backdrop of everyday life. The print captures a complex blend of faith, family, and the harsh realities of human existence. It serves as a powerful reflection on themes of loss, deception, and the enduring strength required to confront life's most painful moments.