Joseph's Coat Brought to Jacob

"Joseph's Coat Brought to Jacob" by Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn), dating from approximately 1628-1638, captures a pivotal and tragic moment from the Book of Genesis (37:31-35). This masterful print is an etching, documented here as the second state of two, showcasing the artist's early refinement in graphic arts. The scene depicts Joseph’s jealous brothers presenting Jacob, their elderly father, with the bloodied, multicolored coat, convincing him that his favored son has been killed by a wild beast.

Rembrandt uses the deep blacks and fine lines inherent to the etching medium to heighten the emotional intensity of the betrayal and ensuing grief. The composition focuses intimately on the figures, emphasizing the reactions of the men involved, particularly Jacob’s profound distress and the uneasy posture of those delivering the false news. This intense psychological drama, characteristic of Rembrandt's historical prints, reveals the emotional complexity hidden beneath the religious narrative. The Dutch master excelled at rendering human suffering and moral compromise through subtle facial expressions and carefully controlled contrast.

Produced during a fertile period of the artist’s career, this work highlights Rembrandt's growing reputation as a preeminent printmaker in the seventeenth century. The physical power of the original impressions is preserved within the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. As one of the most significant early prints by the artist, the image remains a critical reference point for scholars studying his graphic output. Due to its age and stature, high-quality images of this remarkable artwork are often found within the public domain, making these historically significant works widely accessible for study.