Rembrandt van Rijn’s oil on canvas painting, Joseph Accused by Potiphar’s Wife, was created in 1655 and is a religious painting. It depicts the biblical story of Potiphar’s wife accusing Joseph of fornication after he refused her seduction attempts. The painting has a pronounced focus on the bed where the scene took place.
The style used in this artwork is Baroque with Tenebrism, which is characterized by dramatic use of light and shadow. This technique is evident in the way Rembrandt created a stark contrast between the illuminated bed and darkened background to create an intense visual impact.
Furthermore, the painting also contains moral implications as it depicts the consequences of inappropriate sexual behavior. The body language of both characters conveys depth and tension as they stare directly at each other. It makes us reflect that sinning might have consequences that go far beyond our imagination.
