Joseph Sold By His Brothers
ca. 1657-1658
Francesco Maffei captures the dramatic betrayal of Joseph in this intense Baroque scene. You can almost feel the tension as Joseph's jealous brothers finalize their grim deal, handing him over to a merchant in exchange for silver. The older man, draped in a lavish blue and gold patterned robe, leans in to make the transaction, while a brother in a striking red cloak looks on. Maffei's loose, energetic brushstrokes give the figures a raw, emotional quality, perfectly capturing the moral weight of this infamous biblical moment where family ties are severed for profit.