1589
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Plate 11: Joseph is a 1589 by Jacob de Gheyn II, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
You see a man in old-fashioned clothes holding a bow and a quiver of arrows. His name is Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob from the Bible. This print is part of a series showing each son with an object that hints at their future. The bow and arrows here symbolize protection—Joseph’s tribe would be safe. It’s a quiet way to tell a big story without words. If you like how simple lines can carry meaning, look up *sfumato*—a technique that softens edges, the opposite of this sharp style.
In this print, the biblical figure Joseph holds a bow next to a quiver of arrows, symbolizing God’s deliverance and protection of Joseph and his people. This is one of a series of prints depicting the twelve sons of Jacob, each with an attribute and costume that denotes his character. According to the Old Testament, Jacob blessed each of his twelve sons, prophesizing the destiny of their tribe, and assigning them a parcel of land in Canaan. The print series was made in the Netherlands in the late 16th century, a time of political struggle when Old Testament heroes were popular exemplars of…
The abundantly flowing fountain in this image may refer to Jacob’s blessing to his son Joseph that he would enjoy a double portion of inheritance.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Jacob de Gheyn II was a Dutch painter and engraver, whose work shows the transition from Northern Mannerism to Dutch realism over the course of his career.
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