Joseph Interpreting the Dreams of Pharoah's Chief Butler and Baker

Art Historical Context

This striking print captures a pivotal biblical moment from the Book of Genesis, where Joseph, imprisoned in Egypt, interprets the prophetic dreams of Pharaoh’s chief butler and baker. The scene highlights Joseph’s gift of divine insight, foreshadowing his rise to power. Created between 1766 and 1767 as an and engraving, the work combines the precision of engraving with the fluid lines of etching, techniques that allowed for rich tonal contrasts and intricate details in 18th-century reproductive prints. Likely produced after a composition by Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto), whose dramatic Baroque style influenced many European artists, this sheet was published under the auspices of John Boydell, a leading London printmaker and entrepreneur. The inclusion of a coat of arms suggests a dedication to a noble patron, possibly linked to Frederick Ponsonby, 3rd Earl of Bessborough. Such prints played a vital cultural role, making grand religious narratives and Old Master paintings accessible to a growing middle-class audience across Britain and beyond.

About the Artist

Frederick Ponsonby, 3rd Earl of Bessborough|Alexander Bannerman|Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto)|John Boydell ( |Spanish|British|British) · 1758 |1591 |1725 |1720 –1844 |1652 |1792 |1804

|Spanish, Játiva 1591–1652 Naples|British, born Cambridge ca. 1730, active through 1792|British, Dorrington, Shropshire 1720–1804 London