An old man crying into a tunic while his sons pull it away from him 1724

This engraving by François de Poilly, made in France in the late 17th century, depicts a scene of profound grief. We see an old man, Jacob, overwhelmed with sorrow as his sons present him with the bloodied tunic of his favorite son, Joseph, who they claim has been killed by a wild animal. This image, like many biblical scenes produced during this time, reflects the social and political context of its creation. The Catholic Church was a major patron of the arts. It used such images to reinforce moral and religious values. The image aims to evoke emotional response and reinforce the importance of family bonds and faith. Yet we must ask, is the excessive grief depicted here a genuine expression of loss, or a performance intended to convey a particular social message? To fully understand the social role of this image, we can look to religious texts, sermons, and the patronage networks that supported artists like de Poilly. These resources help us to interpret its meaning and the cultural values it sought to promote.