PROVENANCE: Marquess of Zetland before 1952; Leger, London, by 1955; Central Picture Galleries, New York, 1963; BJU, 1963.

Gerbrand van den Eeckhout was documented as one of Rembrandt's best pupils and his personal friend. In spite of various changes in his style over the years, Eeckhout has the distinction of coming closest to Rembrandt's mature art in his late paintings. He excelled in paintings of Old Testament scenes, such as the painting we see here.

The subject of this painting was a popular one with Rembrandt's pupils and followers. Here we see the prisoners (attired in Dutch costume) listening to a young Joseph as he explains their fate. The light from the left doorway or window illumines the scene, while another prisoner or guard eavesdrops through the barred windows.