Artwork
Joseph Escaping Potiphar's Wife
Joseph Escaping Potiphar's Wife is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Lucas van Leyden. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Joseph Escaping Potiphar's Wife is an engraving created by Lucas van Leyden in 1512. It is a notable example of the artist's skill in printmaking, a medium in which he established a strong reputation.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving illustrates a biblical narrative from the Book of Genesis, depicting Joseph resisting the advances of Potiphar's wife as he attempts to flee her grasp.
Technique & Style
The engraving showcases van Leyden's technical proficiency, utilizing cross-hatching to achieve a sense of depth, texture, and shading. Intricate details and nuanced dimensionality heighten the drama and emotion of the scene.
Context
As a leading Dutch painter and printmaker, van Leyden was among the early practitioners of genre painting. This work reflects his contribution to the development of printmaking in the Netherlands during the early 16th century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas van Leyden (1494 – 8 August 1533), was a Dutch painter and printmaker in engraving and woodcut. Lucas van Leyden was among the first Dutch exponents of genre painting and was a very accomplished engraver.
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