Joseph Telling his Dreams

Joseph Telling his Dreams, created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1638, is a highly regarded example of biblical narrative executed through the exacting print media of etching with drypoint. This piece originated in the Netherlands during the peak of the Dutch Golden Age, a period characterized by intense artistic innovation and a strong market for accessible prints depicting sacred history.

The work illustrates the scene described in Genesis 37, where the young Joseph recounts his prophetic dreams of power and dominance to his incredulous family. Rijn masterfully uses the technical qualities of etching, combined with the rich, burred lines produced by drypoint, to manipulate light and shadow across the composition. Joseph stands at the center, radiantly illuminated, while his older brothers recede into the darker background, their resentful expressions emphasized through economical line work. The artist captures the moment of emotional and familial conflict with subtle gestures and expressive faces, reflecting the tensions that ultimately lead to Joseph’s betrayal.

As one of the most celebrated printmakers in art history, Rijn’s ability to imbue these small-scale prints with monumental drama cemented his international reputation. This piece highlights the period's cultural appetite for accessible art, contrasting with the large-scale history paintings often reserved for the elite. The classification of the work as a print allows students and scholars worldwide to study the artist’s prolific output. This particular impression of Joseph Telling his Dreams is held within the esteemed collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Given its age and status as a masterwork, the image is frequently made available through public domain collections, ensuring the enduring accessibility of Rijn's genius.