Joseph Sold by his Brothers

Joseph Sold by his Brothers is a significant early sixteenth-century engraving created by the Master of the Die (Italian, active c. 1530-1560) after a design conceived by Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael (Italian, 1483-1520). Dated 1533, this work is meticulously printed in black ink on paper, exemplifying the reproductive printmaking techniques that flourished across Italy during the transition from the High Renaissance into Mannerism. The subject depicts the pivotal Old Testament narrative from the Book of Genesis, detailing the moment Joseph, having been thrown into a pit, is betrayed by his jealous siblings and sold into slavery to the passing Ishmaelite traders.

The Master of the Die, whose identity remains partially obscured, was instrumental in translating the grand, large-scale compositions of masters like Raphael into accessible, affordable print formats. This practice was critical for disseminating the Raphael school's artistic vocabulary throughout Europe. Engraving, characterized by its precise and deliberate line work, was the crucial medium for this dissemination, allowing patrons and artists to study Raphael’s influential style even decades after his death in 1520.

This impression of Joseph Sold by his Brothers provides a compelling window into Italian sixteenth-century visual culture and demonstrates the enduring market for masterful reproductive prints. As a key piece in the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection, this work serves as an important resource for the study of history and art technique. Pieces such as this, produced by masters working in the early decades of the print revolution, are often classified as public domain resources, making high-quality historical prints widely available for scholarly use.