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Joseph sold by his brothers

Unknown

1750

oil

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

18th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

Joseph sold by his brothers is a 1750 oil by Unknown, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1750
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

The painting shows a dramatic scene of Joseph being sold by his brothers. It's a somber moment from the Bible. The painting may be a copy of a tapestry, which is unusual because tapestries are often made from paintings. The artist took a different approach here. To learn more about the use of lighting and shadow in this painting, look into the technique: chiaroscuro.

The story of this work

Overview

An oil painting from around 1750, attributed to an unknown artist, depicts the biblical scene of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers. Joseph, dressed in a white tunic, stands at the center with his gaze directed upward, while one of his brothers negotiates with a black slave trader wearing a gold and black robe. The composition is framed by a decorative border featuring putti, floral garlands, and heraldic shields, with the arms on the left and right belonging to the Stuart family. The work may have been created as a painted copy of a tapestry design.

Read the full account in the museum source.