Jozef legt de dromen uit van de schenker en de bakker, en Jozef verklaart de dromen van de farao 1722 - 1784

This print, made by Simon Fokke in the 18th century, is a structured composition divided into two distinct registers, each depicting a scene from the biblical story of Joseph. The upper scene, confined within the stark geometry of a prison, contrasts sharply with the lower scene's expansive architectural setting, suggesting the Pharaoh's court. Fokke uses line work to delineate the figures and their emotional states. Notice how the figures of the baker and butler are hunched over in the top panel in contrast with the Pharaoh and his court who stand upright in the bottom panel. These compositional choices serve to communicate power dynamics and social hierarchies. The contrast of confinement and openness not only frames Joseph's changing fortunes but also raises broader questions about the nature of fate, power, and the interpretation of signs. Fokke invites us to consider how art itself can decode the complex narratives of human existence.