Joseph and Potiphar's Wife
Engraving
1667 (made)
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 of Joseph and Potiphar's Wife, 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 the interior of a bedroom with four-poster bed and hangings to the right, a chair at the back and to the left a table with tablecloth. Potiphar's wife is sitting on the bed and trying to pull Joseph towards her. He is resisting. In a doorway, back left, are two servant girls watching. Joseph's hat is on the floor, along with some slippers, a pitcher and cup. This is a copy in reverse. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Production type | Copy |
Marks and inscriptions |
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Subjects depicted | |
Literary reference | Genesis 39:7-20 |
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 | 29269A (Version) |
Bibliographic references |
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Other number | Bartsch 20 |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.768-1885 |
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Record created | September 23, 2008 |
Record URL |
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