Joseph and his Brothers

At the hands of his jealous half-brothers, Joseph is sent to Egypt. Here he manages to win the Pharaoh’s confidence by explaining his dreams. Great famine drives Joseph’s brothers to move to Egypt, where Joseph - now viceroy - has created food reserves. The scene here depicts the moment when Joseph receives his brothers. This painting illustrates the height of Utrecht Mannerism. Characteristic of this style are the pastel colours and the elegantly-posed figures, elongated and with unnaturally twisted torsos.