PROVENANCE: Duke of
Norfolk, England; Christie's, London, February 11, 1938, lot 91, purchased
by Fenouil; Gift of Tomas Harris to BJU, 1952.
Carlone learned to paint in an artistic family in Genoa under the teaching
of his father, Taddeo, and with his brother, Giovanni Andrea. Although
he later studied in Florence and Rome , he spent most of his life in
his native Genoa, painting mainly for local religious buildings and
private patrons.
The story of Joseph is one of the most moving and dramatic in biblical
history. This scene of Joseph being sold into slavery is one in a narrative
series of at least six that Carlone painted. The BJU M&G once owned
four from this series and continues to display one other, that of Joseph's
Brothers Showing Jacob the Bloodstained Coat . The present work displays
Carlone's individual style characterized by vigorous brushwork and extremely
vivid reds and greens. The drama of the scene is heightened by the various
facial expressions and figural groupings.
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