Artwork
Joseph Lowered into a Well
Joseph Lowered into a Well is a print by the Renaissance artist Georg Pencz. It dates from 1546 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1546, *Joseph Lowered into a Well* is a print by German artist Georg Pencz. The image portrays the biblical Joseph being thrust head‑first into a dark well, his ankles bound by a rope, while two figures watch from the rim, one distinguished by a red hat. The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition illustrates the moment when Joseph’s brothers, driven by jealousy, cast him into a well—a narrative from Genesis that precedes his later rise in Egypt. By focusing on the physical act of descent, the print emphasizes themes of betrayal, vulnerability, and the precariousness of fate, offering a rare visual emphasis on this early episode.
Technique & Style
Executed as an engraving, the piece demonstrates Pencz’s command of line and chiaroscuro, using dense cross‑hatching to render the well’s depth and the play of light on the figures. The handling of space reflects the influence of Italian, particularly Venetian, compositional balance, while retaining the meticulous detail characteristic of Northern Renaissance printmaking.
History & Provenance
Georg Pencz, born around 1500, trained in Nuremberg under Albrecht Dürer before traveling to Italy, where he absorbed contemporary artistic currents.
Georg Pencz, born around 1500, trained in Nuremberg under Albrecht Dürer before traveling to Italy, where he absorbed contemporary artistic currents. After his return, he produced works that merged German precision with Italianate sensibilities. *Joseph Lowered into a Well* entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains on display as an example of his cross‑cultural approach.
Artist & collection
Artist
Georg Pencz (c. 1500 – 11 October 1550) was a German engraver, painter and printmaker. Pencz was probably born in Westheim near Bad Windsheim/Franconia. He travelled to Nuremberg in 1523 and joined Albrecht Dürer’s…
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