Artwork

Meester van Brussel. Jozef wordt door zijn broers in de waterput geworpen

Meester van Brussel. Jozef wordt door zijn broers in de waterput geworpen is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Catholic University of Leuven. The work, titled Meester van Brussel.

About this work

Overview

The work, titled Meester van Brussel. Jozef wordt door zijn broers in de waterput geworpen, is a visual representation dating to around 1500. Though the original medium is a painting, the available image is a digitized slide used for art‑historical study. It is currently held by the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin in Germany.

Subject & Meaning

The composition portrays the biblical episode in which Joseph’s brothers cast him into a well, a moment that underscores themes of betrayal and destiny within the Genesis narrative. The figures are arranged to emphasize the tension of the act, with the brothers’ gestures conveying aggression while Joseph appears vulnerable.

Technique & Style

Rendered in the manner of the Flemish Primitives, the image displays meticulous attention to detail and a naturalistic treatment of space and anatomy. The painter employs a subtle gradation of tones reminiscent of early sfumato, lending depth to the figures and a modest atmospheric quality to the background.

History & Provenance

The piece originated in the early sixteenth century, likely in the Brussels region, and was later documented in the KU Leuven glass slide collection, which spans works from 1839 to 1939. The photographer who produced the slide remains unidentified. It now resides within the Berlin State Museums’ holdings.