Ontmoeting tussen Jakob en Jozef 1683 - 1733

This engraving, titled "The Meeting of Jacob and Joseph," was made by Bernard Picart in the early 18th century. It depicts a scene from the Book of Genesis, where Jacob is reunited with his son Joseph in Egypt. But consider the image's historical context. Picart was a French artist working during the Enlightenment, a period that saw the rise of reason and skepticism toward traditional authority. How did artists navigate the institutions of the day? The ornate frame, with its cherubs and classical motifs, speaks to the tastes of the elite art market, while the biblical subject matter catered to the religious sensibilities of the time. However, the relatively small scale of the print suggests that it was intended for a more intimate setting, perhaps a private study or devotional space. To fully understand this artwork, we need to delve deeper into the social and cultural context in which it was produced. By examining historical documents, theological treatises, and art market records, we can gain a richer appreciation of Picart's artistic choices and the ways in which this image spoke to its original audience.