Claes Cornelisz. Moeyaert

Talented and prolific, Claes Moeyaert obtained several public commissions in Amsterdam, such as the design for the triumphal arch for the arrival of Maria de’ Medici in 1639 and the impressive altarpiece for the Catholic schuilkerk of the Begijnhof in Amsterdam in 1649. He excelled in biblical and mythological scenes, exemplifying the narrative art of the so-called ‘pre-Rembrandtists’.

Moeyaert depicted other episodes from the life of Joseph on at least two other occasions.¹ The present subject is one of several rather obscure Old Testament scenes which Moeyaert chose to paint, seemingly in part because they provided him with the opportunity to paint as many cattle and other livestock as possible. Sluijter dates this work to circa 1639 (see Literature).

¹ Joseph cast into the well by his brothers: one dated 1625: https://rkd.nl/explore/images/227601; and another, of the same composition, dated 1637: https://rkd.nl/explore/images/61974