
Francesco Primaticcio (1504-70)
Joseph sold by his brothers to the Ishmaelite merchants c.1541-6
RCIN 905094
Like Leonardo and Rosso Fiorentino, Primaticcio travelled to France to work. This drawing is related to a painting which once decorated a chimney breast at Fontainebleau. It shows a scene from the Old Testament story of Joseph, the young man sold into slavery by his brothers, who were jealous of his favoured position and prophetic dreams.