Joseph's Brothers Find the Silver Goblet in Benjamin's Sack by Alexander Ivanov, Genesis 44:1-13, Bible.Gallery
Joseph's Brothers Find the Silver Goblet in Benjamin's Sack created 1831 nad was completed in 1833 Its dimension is 63cm wide and 50cm high and it was drawn with oil on canvas style.
Artwork Description
This work A. Ivanov wrote during his stay in Italy. In search of a plot, Ivanov writes a sketch according to the Old Testament legend from the life of Joseph the Beautiful.
The artist depicts the moment when the servants find in the bag of the youngest of Joseph's brothers - Benjamin, an allegedly stolen silver bowl. Joseph was once sold into slavery by his brothers, informing his father of his death. Joseph became a noble man in Egypt. Upon learning that his brothers arrived in the country with commercial matters, he invited them to his place, sheltered and fed him. Conceiving the trick, Joseph ordered the servant to put a silver bowl in the bag of the youngest of the Benjamin brothers to accuse him of theft and keep it at home. The brothers are desperate. One of them, Judas, offers himself into slavery instead of Benjamin. He knows that the father will not survive the loss of his beloved youngest son. Moved by the sacrifice of Judah, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.
The picture is made in the style of academism. Despite the fact that we have a sketch, the artist was able to convey the emotional intensity of the scene. Particularly expressive is the figure of Jude in the center of the composition. In desperation, he tears his clothes. His face expresses pain and hopelessness. He faces a painful inner choice. A frightened Benjamin clings to him. Other brothers are at a loss. They are pointed by a hand filled with the dignity of the servant Joseph.
A. Ivanov received positive reviews for his studies from his father, a professor of painting, and then famous artists, the Italian Kammuchini and the German Overbeck. However, the plan was not destined to translate into a full-fledged work. A. Ivanov decided to write a grandiose painting The Appearance of Christ to the People. Work on it distracted the painter from other projects.