Joseph in Prison Interpreting Dreams
Engraving
ca. 1667 (made)
ca. 1667 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Like his contemporary, Albrecht Dürer, Lucas van Leyden was internationally recognised within his lifetime and beyond. Giorgio Vasari, writing in 1568, praised Leyden's fine engraving style and his use of perspective. Fine quality early impressions of his prints are rare. Copper printing plates are capable of producing only one or two hundred fine impressions before the plate starts to wear down, especially with a fine line engraving style as Leyden's. Such was Leyden's reputation and his prints so sought by collectors that his original printing plates were kept and impressions taken from them long after his death, resulting in a larger number of surviving poor and worn impressions than fine ones. Numerous copies were also made from his originals, which satisfied demand when originals were not available or affordable and for collectors of images interested more in subject matter.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Titles |
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Materials and techniques | Engraving in ink on paper |
Brief description | Engraving, Joseph in Prison Interpreting Dreams, from a series of five prints entitled The Story of Joseph, copy after Lucas Hugensz van Leyden (called Lucas Jacobsz) in reverse; possibly 1667. |
Physical description | Engraving showing an interior with columns and an arched niche. On the floor Joseph sits in the centre, and on either side is another prisoner, both with chains attaching one of their ankles to large square stone. Each man has an image close to their heads, which represent dreams. The left-hand dream shows a man carrying bread in a basket on his head, which is being pecked at by a bird. The right-hand dream shows a man pouring liquid into a bowl from a pitcher. Both men are listening to Joseph. The man on the left is well-dressed in short tunic, trousers and cloth boots and wears a hat with feathers. The man on the right has a blanket around him and a simple hat with turn up at the back. Joseph wears a long tunic and hat with feather. This version is a copy in reverse. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Production type | Copy |
Marks and inscriptions | L (Inscribed on plate, lower centre) |
Production | 1667 date comes from similarity to another print E.767-1885 |
Subjects depicted | |
Literary reference | Genesis 40:5-19 |
Summary | Like his contemporary, Albrecht Dürer, Lucas van Leyden was internationally recognised within his lifetime and beyond. Giorgio Vasari, writing in 1568, praised Leyden's fine engraving style and his use of perspective. Fine quality early impressions of his prints are rare. Copper printing plates are capable of producing only one or two hundred fine impressions before the plate starts to wear down, especially with a fine line engraving style as Leyden's. Such was Leyden's reputation and his prints so sought by collectors that his original printing plates were kept and impressions taken from them long after his death, resulting in a larger number of surviving poor and worn impressions than fine ones. Numerous copies were also made from his originals, which satisfied demand when originals were not available or affordable and for collectors of images interested more in subject matter. |
Associated object | 25706 (Version) |
Bibliographic references |
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Other number | Bartsch 22 |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.766-1885 |
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Record created | September 23, 2008 |
Record URL |
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