Discovery of Joseph's Cup

Art Historical Context

This engraving, created around 1521–1525 by Giovanni Antonio da Brescia after a design by Baldassare Peruzzi, captures a dramatic biblical moment in fine detail. As a printmaker working in early 16th-century Italy, da Brescia translated Peruzzi’s composition into the precise lines of engraving, a technique that allowed intricate narrative scenes to be reproduced and shared widely during the Renaissance. Engravings like this one played a vital role in disseminating artistic ideas across Europe at a time when original paintings and frescoes remained accessible only to those who could visit churches or private collections. The medium’s ability to convey texture, depth, and expressive gestures made it especially suited for storytelling subjects drawn from scripture. Housed in the National Gallery of Art’s Rosenwald Collection, the work exemplifies the collaborative spirit of Renaissance printmaking, where designers and engravers worked together to preserve and popularize important visual narratives for generations of viewers.