Plate with Jacob Is Shown Joseph’s Coat 1555 - 1580

Curator: Welcome! Today, we’re examining "Plate with Jacob Is Shown Joseph’s Coat," a maiolica piece crafted by Gironimo Tomasi sometime between 1555 and 1580. It resides here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: It's strikingly rendered. The compressed space really amplifies the emotion of the scene. Such an expressive moment captured on ceramic—it really stands out! Curator: Precisely. What's compelling here is that it elevates a functional object to the level of narrative art. This plate would have been created by layering different colors of glaze on the ceramic surface, then firing it in a kiln to produce its durable finish. Think of the specialized labor needed. Editor: Absolutely, and those layers vividly bring the biblical story to life. We see the distraught Jacob in the foreground, his dramatic reaction to the deceitful presentation of Joseph's bloodied coat by his brothers. It powerfully communicates themes of deception, loss, and paternal grief. Curator: Considering its original context is key here. Was it displayed or actually used for eating? Either way, consumption—both of the food and the image—becomes linked. The craftsmanship demonstrates both skill and the values of the patron. The materiality is intrinsic to its status. Editor: And the careful staging is full of import. The arched background draws our eye to some lone figure exiting out. I also can't overlook how Joseph's coat is not just any coat; its bright, distinctive colors symbolize Jacob's favoritism—a key motivator for the brother’s actions. It signifies love, privilege and ultimately betrayal. Curator: Good point! Looking closely, we can notice wear and repair to the glaze and surface, marking a tangible history of use and handling. It's fascinating how its preservation through time also speaks to shifting ideas about value—from a useful object to a collectible artifact. Editor: Right, the story lives on as this object remains, embodying those raw emotions across the centuries. Its durability becomes almost a defiant act, standing against oblivion and attesting to our need to retell our dramas. Curator: Ultimately, considering the intersection of material production, skill, and the evolution of cultural perception illuminates the full value of a piece such as this. Editor: Yes, and how powerful symbols, rendered with such visceral clarity, help preserve cultural memory—even when etched on humble clay.