Josepth and Potiphar’s Wife

Jacopo Vignali, oil on canvas, 17th century

This painting is attributed to Jacopo Vignali (1592-1664), an Italian painter active in Florence during the first half of the 17th century. He painted mainly religious subjects characterised by dramatic tension and contrasting lighting. This work comes from the Irish collection of the Dukes of Ormonde and came to Belgium through the spouse of the final private owner of the site, Lady Moyra Butler.

Chapter 39 of the book of Genesis tells the unfortunate stories of Joseph, son of Jacob, in Egypt. First sold as a slave to Potiphar, a high-ranking official to the Egyptian pharaoh, Joseph rose through the ranks of the domestic hierarchy. His position saw him become the object of desire of his master’s wife, much against his will. Rejecting her, she accused Joseph of wanting to rape her and Joseph was thrown in prison.