Joseph's Tunic facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joseph's Tunic |
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| Artist | Diego Velázquez |
| Year | 1630 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 223 cm × 250 cm (88 in × 98 in) |
| Location | Monasterio de El Escorial, San Lorenzo de El Escorial |
Joseph's Tunic is a famous painting from 1630. It was created by the Spanish artist Diego Velázquez. Today, you can see this artwork at the Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial in Madrid, Spain.
Velázquez painted Joseph's Tunic while he was in Rome. He was staying at the home of the Spanish ambassador there. This painting traveled back to Spain with another one of his works, called Apollo in the Forge of Vulcan.
Contents
What the Painting Shows
This painting tells a story from the Bible, specifically from the Book of Genesis. It shows the moment when Jacob's sons bring him the colorful tunic of his favorite son, Joseph.
The brothers are trying to trick their father. They have dipped Joseph's tunic in goat's blood. They want Jacob to believe that Joseph has been killed by a wild animal.
The Story of Joseph's Tunic
Joseph was Jacob's favorite son. Jacob showed his special love by giving Joseph a beautiful, colorful coat. This made Joseph's older brothers very jealous.
One day, the brothers decided to get rid of Joseph. They sold him into slavery and then planned to deceive their father. They killed a goat and used its blood to stain Joseph's special tunic.
When they showed the bloody tunic to Jacob, he was heartbroken. He believed that a wild beast had attacked and killed Joseph. This painting captures that sad and dramatic moment.
Characters in the Painting
- Jacob: He is the old man in the painting, shown reacting with great sadness and shock. He is wearing a simple robe and looks very upset.
- Joseph's Brothers: There are several brothers surrounding Jacob. They look serious, and some seem to be trying to comfort their father, even though they are the ones who caused his pain.
- The Tunic: The colorful tunic is the main focus of the scene. It is held up for Jacob to see, covered in what looks like blood.
- The Dog: A dog is also in the painting, looking at the scene. Dogs often appear in Velázquez's works.
About the Artist: Diego Velázquez
Diego Velázquez was one of the most important painters in Spanish history. He was born in Seville, Spain, in 1599. He became the official painter for King Philip IV of Spain.
Velázquez was known for his realistic style. He was very good at painting people and making them look lifelike. He also used light and shadow in a special way to create depth and emotion in his paintings.
Velázquez's Trip to Italy
Velázquez traveled to Italy twice during his life. His first trip was from 1629 to 1631. This is when he painted Joseph's Tunic in Rome.
Traveling to Italy was important for artists at that time. They could study famous ancient Roman sculptures and the works of great Italian Renaissance painters. This helped Velázquez develop his unique style even more.
Where to See the Painting
Joseph's Tunic is kept in the Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial. This is a very large and important historical building near Madrid. It was built by King Philip II of Spain.
The monastery is a palace, a monastery, a church, and a museum all in one. It holds many valuable artworks, including this painting by Velázquez.
See also
In Spanish: La túnica de José para niños
- List of works by Diego Velázquez
- Coat of many colors
