Joseph Distributes Corn, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"

Art Historical Context

"Joseph Distributes Corn" is a captivating wood engraving from *Dalziel's Bible Gallery*, a lavish Victorian publication produced between 1864 and 1881 by the renowned Dalziel Brothers, master wood engravers. The image, designed by Sir Edward John Poynter—a leading Pre-Raphaelite-influenced artist and later President of the Royal Academy—depicts the biblical scene from Genesis where Joseph, elevated to power in Egypt, oversees the distribution of grain during a famine. This moment of generosity and authority draws viewers into the drama of ancient survival, populated by diverse figures including men, women, children, and workers queuing for sustenance. Printed on delicate India paper and mounted on thin card, the medium exemplifies 19th-century reproductive printmaking at its finest. Wood engraving allowed for intricate details—Poynter's precise lines capture textures of clothing, earnest expressions, and the bustling crowd with remarkable clarity. India paper ensured sharp impressions, making these affordable yet artistic Bible illustrations accessible to middle-class homes, blending fine art with moral storytelling. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (anonymous gift, 1926), this print reflects Victorian fascination with biblical history and Poynter's neoclassical style, emphasizing order amid chaos. It's a window into how art bridged sacred narratives and everyday devotion.

About the Artist

Camden Press|Scribner and Welford|Dalziel Brothers|Sir Edward John Poynter (British|American|British) · 1857 |1800 |1839 –1893 |1899 |1893

British, London|New York, NY|British, active 1839–93