Joseph and his Brothers 1595 - 1600

Abraham Bloemaert made this painting of Joseph and his Brothers, most likely with oil paint on canvas. He employs traditional art materials. The texture of the canvas gives a tactile dimension to the work, while the use of oil paint allowed him to build up layers of color and create a sense of depth and luminosity. The making of paint itself, grinding pigments and mixing them with oil, was a laborious process. The application of the paint, with brushes and perhaps other tools, also required skill and patience. The work is laden with social significance, depicting a biblical story of family, betrayal, and reconciliation. The rich fabrics and architectural setting suggest wealth and power, while the postures and gestures of the figures convey emotions of supplication, forgiveness, and possibly even shame. The act of painting itself was a skilled trade, and Bloemaert's mastery of the medium would have been highly valued in his time. Ultimately, understanding how artworks are made, and the conditions in which they are produced, allows us to see them in a richer and more nuanced light.