The Return of Joseph

1720–70

Not on view

This drawing belongs to a group by Rysbrack inspired by the Old Testament story of Joseph, although the traditional title is puzzling, since Joseph never returned to Canaan from Egypt in the Genesis account. The short beardless youth may be Joseph’s younger brother Benjamin, in which case the image could represent the moment that Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers in Egypt (Genesis 45.14). The group around the altar at left echoes elements found in carved relief overmantles that Rysbrack made for Clandon Park, Surrey, and Houghton Hall, Norfolk in the 1720s. His ultimate source was an antique sculpture titled "Sacrifice of a Bull" reproduced in engraving for Bernard de Montfaucon's book "L'Antiquité Expliquée" (1719).

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

References

Title: The Return of Joseph
Artist: John Michael Rysbrack (Flemish, Antwerp 1694–1770 London)
Date: 1720–70
Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, heightened with white
Dimensions: sheet: 8 5/8 x 11 1/8 in. (21.9 x 28.3 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Gift of Julien Stock and Gloria Gallucci, 2011
Object Number: 2011.570
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

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Mantelpiece from Chesterfield House, London, John Michael Rysbrack Flemish, Marble, British — Mantelpiece from Chesterfield House, London
John Michael Rysbrack
1745–50

John Barnard, John Michael Rysbrack Flemish, Marble, British, London — John Barnard
John Michael Rysbrack
1744

John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650–1722), John Michael Rysbrack Flemish, Carrara marble, British — John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650–1722)
John Michael Rysbrack
early to mid-1730s

John Barnard, John Michael Rysbrack Flemish, Terracotta<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>__________________________________________________________ _____________________<br/>Owner/Representative’s signature Date, British, London — John Barnard
John Michael Rysbrack
1743

Portrait of Nicolas Trigault in Chinese Costume, Peter Paul Rubens Flemish, Black, red, and white chalk, blue pastel, and pen and brown and black ink on light brown laid paper — Portrait of Nicolas Trigault in Chinese Costume
Peter Paul Rubens
1617

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