Signed and dated G.V Eeckhout fe Ao 1657. The painting depicts the scene in Genesis 45:14 where Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and embraces the youngest of them, Benjamin. The dramatic setting directs the light towards the center of the composition with the two figures embracing.
The painting was given as gift to the Östra Ryd church of the Rydboholm estate and the current owner Abraham Brahe who was also the owner of Skokloster Castle, by Charles De Geer in 1722. It was later transferred to Skokloster Castle in 1848. The curch of Östra Ryd also served as a gallery of paintings during 18th and early 19th century, and still today hold a fine collection, with works by Lucas Cranach the Elder etc (these paintings earlier belonged to the collection of Carl Gustaf Wrangel).
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