Joseph in Egypt (painting)
Joseph in Egypt is a common theme in art history, depicting scenes from the biblical story of Joseph as found in the Book of Genesis (primarily chapters 37-50). These paintings often illustrate key moments in Joseph's life after he was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers.
Typical scenes depicted in paintings titled "Joseph in Egypt" or identified as representing aspects of his Egyptian sojourn include:
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Joseph Sold into Slavery: Depicts Joseph being sold to the Ishmaelites or Midianites by his brothers.
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Joseph and Potiphar's Wife: Illustrates the attempted seduction of Joseph by Potiphar's wife, and the subsequent false accusation that led to Joseph's imprisonment. The scene often depicts Joseph fleeing from her advances or being unjustly accused.
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Joseph Interpreting Pharaoh's Dreams: A pivotal scene where Joseph, having demonstrated his gift of dream interpretation while in prison, is summoned to interpret Pharaoh's disturbing dreams (usually involving cows and ears of grain). His accurate interpretation predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine leads to his rise to power.
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Joseph as Governor of Egypt: Shows Joseph in a position of authority, often depicted overseeing the storage and distribution of grain during the years of plenty and the subsequent years of famine. He is typically shown wearing Egyptian attire befitting his high rank.
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Joseph and his Brothers: Depicts the reunion of Joseph with his brothers, who travel to Egypt seeking food during the famine, unaware that the governor they are pleading before is their long-lost brother. This scene often illustrates Joseph's emotional struggle between revenge and forgiveness.
These paintings are found across various periods and styles of art history, often commissioned to decorate churches, palaces, or private residences. Artists depicting these scenes include, but are not limited to, those from the Renaissance, Baroque, and later periods. The specific details and emphasis placed on different aspects of the story vary depending on the artist, the patron, and the artistic conventions of the time.