MARCO LIBERI | JOSEPH AND POTIPHAR'S WIFE

Marco Liberi was the son of the painter Pietro Liberi, under whom he trained. This scene is taken from the Book of Genesis 39:1–20, when Potiphar's wife attempts to seduce Joseph, a slave her husband bought. This was a popular subject, which Liberi explored more than once, such as with his painting now in a private collection.¹ In both works, Joseph is making a similar hand gesture, which is repeated Liberi's paintings.

We are grateful to Prof. Ugo Ruggeri for endorsing the attribution to Marco Liberi on the basis of photographs.

1. Oil on canvas, 88 by 115 cm. See U. Ruggeri, Pietro e Marco Liberi. Pittori nella Venezia del Seicento, Rimini 1996, p. 288, cat. no. M15, reproduced.