Joseph Interpreting His Dream to His Brothers

Art Historical Context

In the Prints and Drawings department of the Art Institute of Chicago lies a delicate red chalk drawing on ivory laid paper, *Joseph Interpreting His Dream to His Brothers*, created by the School of Carlo Maratti. Measuring just 20.7 × 27.5 cm, this undated work exemplifies the refined draftsmanship of late 17th-century Italian artists associated with Maratti (1625–1713), a leading Roman painter known for his classicizing Baroque style. His workshop produced numerous preparatory studies like this one, blending dramatic narrative with poised figures and subtle modeling. The scene draws from the Book of Genesis, depicting the pivotal moment when Joseph, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, interprets their dreams—foreshadowing his rise to power in Egypt. Red chalk, prized for its warm tonality and ability to capture soft shadows and expressive gestures, was a favored medium for such biblical subjects in Baroque Italy. It allowed artists to explore composition and emotion with fluid precision before committing to oil or fresco. This intimate drawing highlights the School of Maratti's emphasis on elegance and moral storytelling, reflecting Counter-Reformation ideals that elevated religious themes. Visitors will appreciate its technical virtuosity, a window into the creative process of one of Rome's most influential ateliers.

About the Artist

School of Carlo Maratti · 1625–1713

**The School of Carlo Maratti** encompasses the influential workshop and artistic tradition led by the Italian Baroque master Carlo Maratti (1625–1713), whose studio in Rome became the most prominent training ground for painters in the late seventeenth century. Maratti himself was born on May 18, 1625, in Camerano in the Papal States and moved early to Rome, where he studied under Andrea Sacchi, e...