The Return of Joseph 1700 - 1770

John Michael Rysbrack's pen and wash drawing captures the biblical Return of Joseph, laden with potent symbols of sacrifice and jubilation. Note the central figure, perhaps Joseph, his head being touched, a gesture reminiscent of both blessing and coronation, harking back to ancient rites of divine favor. The sacrifice of the lamb echoes through time, from the Old Testament rituals to its symbolic weight in Christianity. The lifted hands, a universal expression of joy, are not new to this image; we observe it echoed in depictions of ecstatic religious experiences throughout history. But consider how the act of sacrifice, meant to appease or honor, has evolved from literal offerings to metaphorical gestures in modern consciousness. This drawing evokes an emotional intensity, a sense of homecoming and redemption deeply embedded in the collective psyche. This resonates, in cyclical waves, through our shared cultural memory.