Joseph Interpreting the Dreams of Pharaoh

This painting’s subdued tonality and matte surface result from the materials and technique employed: a water-based medium on ungrounded fine-weave canvas, known by the German term Tüchlein. Such early forays into what would become oil on canvas offered artists a lightweight and economical alternative to large-scale panel paintings or tapestries. Their disadvantages are also apparent, however, in that their surfaces were easily worn and damaged by moisture. 

This rare surviving example is unfinished, but was probably conceived as part of a series devoted to the story of the Old Testament patriarch Joseph, who is seen here standing in an anachronistic Renaissance palace interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh. The art work is Distemper on linen and measures 67 5/8 x 57 1/4 in. (171.8 x 145.4 cm). It is housed at the Medtropolitan Museum of ARt on 5th Avenue in NYC.