Joseph and Potiphar's Wife

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife

Title

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife

[cda 2016]

Painting on limewood

Medium

Painting on limewood

[Cat. Kronach 2014, 272-273, No. 104]

The first book of the Bible recounts how Joseph the son of the patriarch Jacob rejects the advances made to him by the wife of his employer Potiphar and is subsequently accused of rape by the frustrated lover and thrown into prison. [...] Few painters have illustrated the episode as

The first book of the Bible recounts how Joseph the son of the patriarch Jacob rejects the advances made to him by the wife of his employer Potiphar and is subsequently accused of rape by the frustrated lover and thrown into prison. [...] Few painters have illustrated the episode as radically as Cranach's pupil Antonius Heusler. The wife of the civil servant crouches with her legs apart at the centre of the picture. She has already removed her shoes and her bodice is open. While clinging with one hand to the bedpost, with the other hand she grasps Joseph's coat, which he then leaves behind as he attempts to flee.

[Cat. Kronach 2014, 272-273, No. 104] (Translation, cda 2016)

Attribution
Antonius Heusler

Attribution

Antonius Heusler

[Cat. Kronach 2014, 272-273, No. 104]

Production date
about 1550

Production date

about 1550

'Middle of 16th century' [Cat. Kronach 2014, 272-273, No. 104]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 55 x 56.8 x 0.8 cm

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 55 x 56.8 x 0.8 cm

  • [Cat. Kronach 2014, 272-273, No. 104]

Signature / Dating

Artist's insignia at top edge: monogram 'AH'

Signature / Dating

  • Artist's insignia at top edge: monogram 'AH'

Inscriptions and Labels
  • top edge, explanation text: 'Schlaff bei mir...' (Gen 39,7)

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

    • top edge, explanation text:

  • 'Schlaff bei mir...' (Gen 39,7)

Owner
Bayerisches Nationalmuseum
Repository
Fränkische Galerie, Kronach
Location
Kronach
CDA ID
DE_BNMM-FGK_R626
FR (1978) Nr.
FR-none
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BNMM-FGK_R626/

Provenance

  • 1860 acquired with the collection of Martin Josep von Reider, Bamberg
    [Cat. Kronach 2014, 272-273, No. 104]

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Exhib. Cat. Prague 2005 106 (English version 41) under no. 25
EditorObrazárna Pražského hradu, Kaliopi Chamonikola
TitlePod znamením okrídleného hada. Lucas Cranach a ceské zeme. Under the winged Serpent. Lucas Cranach and the Czech Land
Place of PublicationPrague
Year of Publication2005
Show Literature

Research History / Discussion

This painting belongs to a particular type of educational image that was complemented by an explanation text and was commonly produced in the Cranach workshop. [...] It has not yet been confirmed whether Heusler worked for Cranach, but it would seem very probable.

[Cat. Kronach 2014, 272-273, No. 104] [Translation, cda 2016]

  • Joseph and Potiphar's Wife, about 1550

Images

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Technical studies

05.04.2016 - Technical Examination

Support

- bevelled edges

[Cat. Kronach 2014, 272-273, No. 104]

10. 2015Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • Infrared reflectography
  • irr

Underdrawing

DESCRIPTION

Tools/Material:

- fluid, dark medium, brush

Type/Ductus:

- relatively detailed, freehand underdrawing

- thin to slightly broader lines

- isolated hatching strokes

Function:

- relatively (but in some sections only roughly) binding for the final painted version; lines delineate the main contours, define forms therein and describe facial features; isolated representation of volume with hatching-strokes in the areas of shadow

Deviations:

- corrections were made to forms during the painting process; numerous small changes

INTERPRETATION

Attribution:

- Antonius Heusler

[Sandner, Smith-Contini, Heydenreich, cda 2017]

  • photographed by Gunnar Heydenreich
  • photographed by Ingo Sandner

Conservation History

Date2013 - 2014

  • cleaned

  • discoloured retouches and overpaint partially removed (in the area with the green curtain the overpaint was left)

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'Joseph and Potiphar's Wife', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BNMM-FGK_R626/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'Joseph and Potiphar's Wife', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BNMM-FGK_R626/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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