The artwork “Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife” is a creation of the artist Guido Reni, estimated to have been painted circa 1631. Exhibiting the dimensions of 195 x 227 cm, this piece is executed in oil on canvas. Characteristic of the Baroque art movement, it is classified within the religious painting genre. Reni’s work is often noted for its dramatic use of light and emotion, qualities that define the Baroque period.
In “Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife,” Reni illustrates a poignant scene from the biblical account of Joseph, found in Genesis 39. The artwork depicts a moment of high tension between the two characters. Joseph, depicted on the right, is shown recoiling from the advances of Potiphar’s wife, who is seen on the left. Joseph’s posture and facial expression exude a sense of rejection and haste to escape, with his hand up as if to ward off her approach. Potiphar’s wife, in a striking red gown, grasps Joseph’s garment, an action suggesting desperation or manipulation. Her facial expression is intent and may convey a mixture of seduction and coercion. The use of red in her attire could symbolize passion or danger, heightening the drama of the encounter. The composition successfully captures the emotional gravity of the situation, embodying the tension and moral conflict present in the narrative.