Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers, who sit around a well dividing up the coins 1730s

This 18th-century etching by Pietro Monaco, titled "Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers," depicts a scene from the biblical story of Joseph. The artwork, which is now held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, shows the moment when Joseph's brothers, driven by jealousy, sell him into slavery for a handful of coins. The composition highlights the dramatic tension of the moment, with Joseph's brothers gathered around a well, counting their ill-gotten gains while Joseph lies bound and helpless. This etching is a striking example of the use of Baroque techniques in printmaking, which allowed artists to create expressive works with a strong sense of drama and emotion.