Potiphar’s Wife Accusing Joseph Before her Husband 1620 - 1669

Rembrandt van Rijn created this drawing, "Potiphar’s Wife Accusing Joseph Before her Husband" sometime in the 17th century. Here, Rembrandt sketches a biblical scene laden with power dynamics, revealing much about the social norms of his time. Potiphar's wife, reclining in what is presumably her bedchamber, boldly accuses Joseph, a figure notably absent from this depiction. Her gesture is accusatory; Potiphar's stance suggests a blend of authority and perhaps, a discomfort in the face of such a claim. Consider how the narrative reinforces the established hierarchies of gender and status. Women, often portrayed as deceptive or manipulative, wielded power through accusation, while men held the authority to judge and punish. Rembrandt doesn't just illustrate a story; he invites us to consider the emotional and moral complexities of power, deception, and justice, making it painfully clear that the more things change, the more they stay the same.