Jozef beschuldigt Benjamin van diefstal 1572

Pieter Jalhea Furnius made this print, "Jozef beschuldigt Benjamin van diefstal," which translates to "Joseph Accuses Benjamin of Theft," using etching techniques. The image depicts a scene from the Book of Genesis, set within an imposing architectural space that is likely a royal court. Made in the Netherlands during the late 16th century, this print reflects the era's social and political concerns, particularly the role of justice and power. The detailed rendering of the figures and their emotional expressions invites a close reading of the story's moral dimensions and the artist's views on social order. The print is both a work of art and a cultural artifact reflecting the religious and moral values of its time. Understanding the social and institutional contexts of art like this requires careful research, looking at period documents, religious texts, and the biographies of artists. This way we come to understand art's place in the world.