Artwork
Josef forklarer drømmen om negene for sine brødre
Josef forklarer drømmen om negene for sine brødre is a photography by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1833 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1833 by the artist identified as 1114_person, the work titled Josef forklarer drømmen om negene for sine brødre is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It is a black‑and‑white image that captures a nocturnal outdoor gathering.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, a man with outstretched arms, appears to be addressing a small assembly. He holds an object resembling a scroll or book, suggesting a narrative or instructional moment. The surrounding individuals listen attentively, some supporting their heads on their hands, indicating a shared focus on the speaker’s explanation.
Technique & Style
The composition relies on stark contrasts of light and shadow, a chiaroscuro effect that highlights the central figure against a darker surrounding landscape. The illumination from a nearby fire creates a localized glow, emphasizing facial expressions and the texture of the rocky terrain.
History & Provenance
The image entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings after its creation in the early nineteenth century, though specific acquisition details are not recorded in the available sources. Its presence in the museum aligns with the institution’s focus on cultural and ethnographic documentation.
Context
The scene reflects a communal setting typical of oral storytelling or instructional gatherings in rural or nomadic societies of the period. The use of a scroll or book as a focal point hints at the transmission of knowledge within such groups.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
