Joseph Sold by His Brothers

Del Castillo employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing deep shadows with shafts of light that illuminate key figures and accentuate their emotional states. The rugged terrain is rendered with vigorous brushwork, while the drapery’s texture and the animals’ forms are modeled through careful gradations of tone, creating a dramatic, three‑dimensional effect.

Created in the mid‑17th century, the painting entered the Spanish royal collection before being transferred to the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display. Documentation traces its ownership through the Bourbon inventories, confirming its attribution to del Castillo and its continuous presence in Spanish institutional holdings.

The work reflects the Counter‑Reformation’s emphasis on biblical narratives that illustrate moral lessons. In the Spanish Baroque milieu, artists often used stark lighting and emotive figures to engage viewers spiritually, aligning with the era’s devotional objectives and the broader European fascination with dramatic religious storytelling.