Joseph Recounting His Dreams c. early 1640s

This is a pen and brown ink drawing by Rembrandt van Rijn depicting the biblical story of Joseph recounting his dreams to his brothers. Created in the early 1640s, it is characteristic of Rembrandt's use of expressive lines and dramatic chiaroscuro to convey emotion and depth. The drawing, though unfinished, shows Joseph standing before his brothers, his figure rendered with detail and dynamism, while the surrounding figures are sketched with looser, more suggestive strokes. This drawing exemplifies Rembrandt’s mastery of the medium, his ability to capture the essence of a biblical scene in a swift, yet powerful, manner.