Description: Pen and brown ink, smeared with the finger in the centre, 146 x 202 mm. Verso: Notes, in pen and brown ink. Ruled framing lines in brown ink. No watermark. Chain lines: 19–24 mm. Collector’s mark of J. G. De la Gardie (Lugt 2722a). On the verso, an unidentified collector’s mark (Lugt 178c) in pencil, perhaps that of Albert of Saxe-Teschen.

The caricature-like figures and disregard for anatomy are characteristic of many of Koninck’s drawings. This style lends itself well to the subject matter, the mocking of Joseph by his brothers when he is telling them his dreams (Gen. 37:5 ff.). The sketch effectively brings out the variety of reactions of Joseph’s brothers, and the smiling innocence of the youth himself. It can be compared, in both composition and style, to a drawing in the Fondation Custodia, Paris, The Mocking of Christ. [Bjurström, It. Drawings, cat. no. 224]

Josef och hans bröder