Jozef en de vrouw van Potifar 1607

Giovanni Lanfranco created this print, titled "Jozef en de vrouw van Potifar", sometime in the 17th century. It depicts a dramatic moment between Joseph, an enslaved man, and the wife of Potiphar, his master. The story, derived from the Book of Genesis, centers on themes of power, desire, and betrayal. Notice how Lanfranco portrays the woman as the active aggressor, seizing Joseph's garment, while Joseph recoils, seemingly in fear. This depiction plays into historical stereotypes of women as temptresses, figures whose sexuality poses a threat to male virtue and social order. However, this print also subtly acknowledges the power dynamics inherent in their relationship. Joseph's status as an enslaved person complicates any simple reading of seduction. In a society built on inequality, consent becomes a murky concept. Here we are left to consider the intersectional dimensions of gender, class, and forced servitude within this intimate encounter.