The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 21, 2025

Joseph Interprets the Dreams in Prison

1512

after Lucas van Leyden

(Dutch, 1494–1533)
Netherlands, 16th century
engraving
Sheet: 13 x 16.9 cm (5 1/8 x 6 5/8 in.)
Gift of Ralph King 1925.30
Catalogue raisonné: Hollstein 22 ; Bartsch VII.349.22; New Hollstein 22 (copy; undescribed)
Location: 101B Prints & Drawings

Description

In the book of Genesis, Joseph, a son of Jacob, is the model of a righteous man who overcomes adversity by following God. This scene shows how, imprisoned in Egypt, two fellow prisoners ask Joseph to interpret their dreams. On the right, we see the cupbearer’s dream, in which he squeezes grapes into the pharaoh’s cup to offer wine. Joseph interprets this to mean that the man will be released and restored to his former life. The baker’s dream, on the left, unfortunately has the opposite interpretation, leading to the man’s execution. According to Christian people, the wine and bread references also foretell Christ’s death and resurrection.
  • ?–1925
    Ralph King [1855–1926], Cleveland Heights, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
    January 15, 1925–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • In Vino Veritas (In Wine, Truth). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 7, 2025-January 11, 2026).
    Prints by Lucas Van Leyden and His Contemporaries. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 28-April 2, 1939).
  • {{cite web|title=Joseph Interprets the Dreams in Prison|url=false|author=Lucas van Leyden|year=1512|access-date=21 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1925.30