Jozef door zijn broers verkocht 1639 - 1677

Curator: Here we have an engraving, entitled "Jozef door zijn broers verkocht," or "Joseph Sold by His Brothers," produced anonymously sometime between 1639 and 1677. It’s currently part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. Editor: Immediately striking. It's monochromatic, of course, as an engraving would be, but it's so detailed. The composition is very busy; so much texture created by very intricate linework. It pulls the eye around. Curator: The density of detail speaks to the period. Prints like this were not just artworks, but disseminators of ideas, biblical narratives in this case. Look at the text below the image. This was designed for a wide audience, a populace hungry for readily accessible narratives. Editor: You are right! The engraver made some fascinating choices with line weights. The foreground figures are rendered with a much greater contrast and are carefully built through complex, cross-hatched shading. The background dissolves into a haze of much finer lines which helps create depth. The body language on Joseph's brothers is brilliant. Curator: It's interesting how the artist balances the explicit story with implied social critique. It references the story from Genesis in which Joseph’s brothers sell him into slavery. Prints such as this one were often created within specific social contexts, serving didactic purposes. They are commentary, not passive illustrations. Editor: Didactic indeed, you see how Joseph stands upright, surrounded by a throng of older figures who are visually chaotic, as if morally degenerate. A wonderful visual strategy, emphasizing Joseph's moral integrity within a turbulent sea of corruption. Curator: And its popularity suggests that these social undertones were well received, this print must have touched a nerve! Editor: It is undeniable; I've enjoyed getting lost in this visual drama and those clever lines, realizing that they were indeed so much more than what they appear at first sight.