Artwork
Joseph's dream
Joseph's dream is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1645, this oil painting by Rembrandt depicts a biblical scene in which Saint Joseph is visited in his sleep. The work shows the moment of the second dream, in which an angel warns him of the impending Massacre of the Innocents.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on Joseph, asleep and receiving a divine warning. The narrative derives from the Gospel of Matthew, where an angel appears to protect the infant Jesus by urging Joseph to flee to Egypt.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting demonstrates Rembrandt’s characteristic chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to highlight the angelic figure and the sleeping saint. The brushwork is loose in the background, while the central figures are rendered with careful detail.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the canvas entered the royal collection at the Königliche Schlöss in Berlin. In 1830 it was transferred to the Königliche Museum, and it now belongs to the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, where it remains on public display.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
