The Dream of Saint Joseph 1700 - 1800

"The Dream of Saint Joseph" is an anonymous 18th century drawing in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This work is a study for a larger painting, likely depicting the biblical story of the annunciation of the birth of Christ to Joseph. The drawing's focus on Saint Joseph's head and torso, captured in a moment of slumber, conveys the weight of his divine mission and the sacred dreams he experiences, a significant moment in the Christian narrative. The artist's use of brown wash creates a sense of intimacy and reflection, highlighting the emotional and spiritual experience of the subject.