Joseph Stripped of His Garments

Art Historical Context

This exquisite bronze plaquette, * Stripped of His Garments*, captures a dramatic moment from the biblical story in Genesis, where Joseph's jealous brothers tear off his colorful coat before selling him into slavery. Craft by an unknown Northern Italian artist in the late th century, the small relief (just 1 7/8 x 4 11/16 inches) features dynamic figures of men and horses, rendered with lively energy that conveys tension and motion. Such intimate scenes were popular in Renaissance Italy, blending religious narrative with classical-inspired naturalism. As a prime example of the plaquette genre—small, cast-bronze sculptures prized by collectors—the work showcases advanced metalworking techniques of the period, likely lost-wax casting for fine detail. Northern Italian workshops, especially around Padua and Venice, excelled in these affordable yet sophisticated objets d'art, often displayed on furniture or worn as pendants. Its survival in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection highlights the era's Renaissance revival of antique forms for devotional and humanistic purposes. Visitors will appreciate how this tiny masterpiece distills a tale of betrayal and resilience into enduring metal, inviting reflection on faith, family, and human drama in the bustling courts of late medieval Italy.