Rembrandt (1606-1669)
Joseph Telling his Dreams to his Parents and Brothers
1633
Oil on paper, 51 x 39 cm
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Using loose brushstrokes, Rembrandt sketched Joseph telling his dreams to his parents and brothers. That they do not believe him is clear from their poses and facial expressions. Rembrandt made this rough oil sketch as a preparatory study for a large print, which, however, was never executed. The fact that this study has been preserved is remarkable, since much working material was lost over the course of time.
Joseph tells his dreams to his parents and his brothers. Standing by a bed of his mother Rachel, Joseph tells his dreams to his father Jacob who is sitting in front of the bed, on the left some of his brothers talking and pointing among themselves. In the right foreground a sleeping dog. (RIJKS)