Joseph Cast into the Well

Because of its dramatic historical narratives, more illuminations accompany the book of Genesis than any other portion of the Historical Bible . This miniature from the Genesis cycle of illuminations features Jacob's most beloved son, Joseph. Thrown into a well by his jealous brothers, Joseph cowers, naked and vulnerable. Later, his brothers will sell him to the Ishmaelites and drop his robe into the blood of a goat to convince their father that a wild beast has killed him. On the left side of the image, two of Joseph's brothers are slaughtering the necessary goat.

The illuminator worked in a courtly style, creating figures that move with ease and grace against the richly patterned ground.