Jozef vertelt zijn dromen

Jozef vertelt zijn dromen is a significant work created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1638. Executed on paper, this piece captures a pivotal moment from the Book of Genesis. The subject depicts Joseph relating his prophetic and controversial dreams to his gathered family, including his father Jacob and his envious brothers. This period, the late 1630s, marks a highly prolific time for Rijn's engagement with dramatic scriptural subjects, demonstrating the influence of the Dutch Golden Age artistic traditions.

The classification of this piece as a Book suggests it may be a drawing or etching study bound within a volume, or part of a series illustrating Biblical narratives. The scene’s drama is heightened through Rijn’s characteristic ability to convey psychological tension. He consistently utilized strong contrasts and expressive figure positioning to draw the viewer into the narrative conflict, emphasizing the uneasy reaction of the family to Joseph's youthful pronouncements.

This work is an excellent example of Rijn’s mature narrative style, prioritizing emotional depth and human interaction over idealized form. His detailed rendering of the figures and their varied emotional responses reflects his mastery of line and composition, even in preparatory studies or smaller-scale works.

This important historical depiction is held in the renowned collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Due to its age and cultural significance, high-quality images and educational prints derived from the original artwork are frequently available in the public domain, allowing global scholars and enthusiasts to study and appreciate the genius of Rijn’s approach to Biblical storytelling.