Johannes Voorhout (1647 - 1723): Joseph And Potiphar's Wife.

Oil on canvas.
Signed and dated lower left "I. Voorhout 1706".
Dutch school.
18th century.
Dimensions frame included. Dimensions without frame: 106 x 90 cm.
The biblical scene (Genesis39:1-20) relates the story of the wife of Potiphar, a Pharaon officer, who tried to seduct Joseph.
The biblical story features Joseph (son of Jacob), sold as slave in Egypt where Potiphar, a Pharaoh officer, is his master. Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph who rejected his advances. She then accused him of trying to abuse her. Potiphar trusting her incarcerated Joseph. Joseph stayed two years in prison until Pharaoh recognized his worth and gave him command post of Egypt. 
Dutch painter active in Amsterdam, Johannes Voorhout was specialized in the history paintings, mythological and religious compositions, genre paintings and portraits.
Johannes Voorhout executed an important equestrian portrait of Guillaume III for Dirck Clant de Groningue, seigneur of the Hanckemaborg castle where the painting was before to be moved to the Groningue Museum.
The works by Voorhout are in the museums of Amsterdam, Brunswick, Dessau, Hanovre, Rotterdam Stockholm and Utrecht.
Bibliography : E. Bénézit, 1999, tome 14, p. 341