Joseph and His Brothers XX 1966

Editor: So, here we have Peter Lipman-Wulf's "Joseph and His Brothers XX," created in 1966. It’s a print in ink on paper. It strikes me as incredibly raw and emotional. What do you make of it? Curator: The narrative art depicting this biblical scene is interesting when viewed through a socio-political lens, especially considering its creation in the mid-1960s. How do you see the presentation of the text integrated with the figuration impacting our understanding of this narrative within that historical moment? Editor: Well, I initially thought it was almost like a speech bubble or an internal monologue, but the text seems somewhat detached. Curator: Precisely. The text presents "Joseph" as almost allegorical. Now, Lipman-Wulf emigrated from Germany in the 1930s. Given the artist's background and the period, could this choice of subject matter be seen as a reflection on the construction, manipulation, and perhaps even the propaganda uses of history and national narratives? Consider how institutions use art to build community identity. Editor: That makes sense. Perhaps he's using a biblical narrative to talk about something bigger, like collective identity and purpose after experiencing displacement? Curator: Exactly! He's possibly commenting on how stories, even sacred ones, are used, adapted, and sometimes exploited to shape our understanding of who we are and where we belong. Museums do the same thing every day. What institutions shape how we view the Bible and it’s various narratives? Editor: This definitely gives me a different perspective, a kind of critical engagement with history that I hadn't considered before. Thanks! Curator: And for me, you've illuminated how deeply personal historical narratives remain. Thanks to you!