“Potiphar’s Wife” is an artwork created by Kent Monkman in the year 2017. The piece falls within the art movements of postcolonial art and queer art, and it is recognized as a photograph. This artwork presents a narrative that evokes themes around power, desire, and cultural intersections.
The artwork depicts a scene rich in color and texture, set against a backdrop of an elaborate red curtain. Dominating the composition is an opulent canopy bed with deep green drapes. On the bed, there is a nude figure of a woman, presumably Potiphar’s wife, reaching out towards another figure. The second figure, dressed in attire reminiscent of a 19th-century male, appears to be in a state of escape or retreat, holding onto his clothing. The scene is grounded by lavish decorative elements including a richly patterned rug and a fur rug laid out on the wooden floor. The dramatic lighting and detailed setting emphasize the tension and unspoken narrative within the tableau, inviting viewers to delve deeper into the historical and cultural connotations suggested by the piece.
