Joseph Receives His Brothers and Benjamin - Hans Collaert the Elder

A detailed hand-coloured engraving by Hans Collaert the Elder, depicting the biblical encounter between Joseph and his brothers in Egypt.

This hand-coloured engraving depicts the biblical narrative of Joseph in Egypt, specifically the moment he encounters his brothers and his younger brother, Benjamin. The composition follows the conventions of sixteenth-century Flemish printmaking, where the scene is staged with architectural elements that provide a sense of depth. Joseph stands to the left, dressed in garments that denote his high status as an Egyptian official, while his brothers kneel in supplication before him. The inclusion of Latin and French inscriptions at the base of the print identifies the subject matter as derived from the Book of Genesis, chapter 43.

Hans Collaert the Elder was a member of a prominent family of engravers based in Antwerp. His work reflects the technical precision characteristic of the period, utilising fine lines to define the figures and the surrounding environment. The application of colour, likely added after the initial printing, enhances the narrative clarity of the scene. The figures are arranged in a manner that directs the viewer's eye across the page, from the authoritative stance of Joseph to the humble posture of his kin. The background features classical columns and a distant view of an Egyptian setting, which was a common artistic device for situating biblical events in a recognisable, albeit stylised, historical context.

This print is a representative example of the religious iconography produced for collectors and scholars in the late sixteenth century. It demonstrates the collaborative nature of print production in Antwerp, where artists and engravers worked to disseminate visual interpretations of scripture. The work remains a clear record of the aesthetic preferences of the era, balancing narrative detail with the formal constraints of the engraving medium. The presence of the original text below the image provides context for the scene, ensuring the viewer understands the specific moral and historical weight of the encounter.