Cleveland Museum of Art

Plate 11: Joseph

Jacob de Gheyn II

Date

c. 1589

Medium

engraving

Culture

Netherlands

Department

Prints

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

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 fortitude and patience. 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.

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