Pontormo, Joseph in Eygpt,  1518

Joseph in Egypt, by Pontormo, illustrates Biblical scenes in Genesis. God’s prophet, Abraham, received a promise. God pledged to Abraham: Abraham’s offspring will seek protection, and Israel (the promised land) belongs to the Jews.

As three generations passed, Joseph (son of Jacob, grandson of Isaac, and great-grandson of Abraham) fled mass famine and Herod's looking for their son. Joseph and the Jews entered into Egypt. Soon, Joseph and Pharaoh became friends. Unfortunately, the Pharaoh died and Pharaoh’s successor took his place. History changed; and the Jews became thought of as dangerous animals. The Egyptian ruler forced the Israelites into slavery. Seen in Exodus, Moses frees the slaves and brings them back into God’s holy land.

Joseph in Egypt represents four biblical stories. In the first historic event, Joseph introduces his father, Jacob, to Pharaoh. Around the painting, the audience finds Joseph reading a petition. Moving up from the painting, Joseph appears at Jacob’s funeral. And the last image contains Joseph’s blessings to his grandsons.

The four scenes have interesting values besides the actual events. When Joseph introduces his father to pharaoh, it has symbolic meaning of an introduction to an unusual land. By painting Joseph’s blessings, Pontormo reinstates God’s love and guidance to the Jews.