Joseph's Brothers Showing His Coat to Jacob 1640s

This drawing was made by Jan Victors in the 17th century, using pen and brown ink on paper. Victors employed these humble materials to depict a biblical scene, Joseph's brothers presenting his bloodied coat to Jacob. Notice the contrast between the flowing lines used for figures and landscapes, with the hard hatching that defines the architectural backdrop. Pen and ink is a relatively immediate medium, as each stroke leaves a permanent mark. It is a process unforgiving of error, requiring decisiveness and confidence. Victors was a master of conveying emotion through line work, a skill honed through rigorous training. He uses the relatively simple strokes of the pen to animate the narrative, and to prompt empathy for the mournful Jacob, who has lost his son. The use of such basic materials emphasizes the artist’s skill in achieving such powerful expression. It reminds us that even the most accessible means can yield profound results, collapsing traditional distinctions between craft and fine art.