Artwork
Joseph and Potiphar's Wife
Joseph and Potiphar's Wife is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Anthoni Schoonjans. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Anthoni Schoonjans, a Flemish painter whose career spanned the turn of the 18th century, completed the oil work *Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife* in 1696. Executed as a history painting within the Flemish Baroque tradition, the canvas is now part of the Alte Pinakothek’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition illustrates the biblical episode in which Joseph, a servant of Potiphar, rebuffs the seductive advances of Potiphar’s wife, Zulaikha. The narrative tension is captured in the moment of rejection, emphasizing themes of virtue, temptation, and moral resolve.
Technique & Style
Schoonjans employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the light to illuminate the woman’s exposed shoulder and the man’s face while the surrounding space recedes into darkness. The contrast heightens the drama, and the draped bed and flowing robes convey a tactile richness typical of Baroque painting.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 17th century, the painting entered the holdings of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains displayed. Its provenance reflects the artist’s pan‑European activity, though specific acquisition details are not documented in the available records.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anthoni Schoonjans, nicknamed Parhasius (1655 – 13 August 1726) was a Flemish painter known for his portraits as well as his history paintings.
