19th Century Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife Oil on Canvas Painting,  an Italian unframed religious painting depicting the old Testament Biblical story of Potiphar’s wife.

Joseph is a handsome and virtuous slave falsely accused of rape by his master´s wife, whose advances he has rejected. He is imprisoned, but eventually raised to the highest office by Pharaoh (Exodus: 39).

Joseph and the Wife of Potiphar  can be understood as parable of righteousness threatened and preserved, is presented in terms of sensuous appeal and erotic charge rather than as moral lessons.

The wife of Potiphar, on the left side of the composition,  lushly nude,  except for her earrings, appears extremely sexually aggressive. Grasping the cloth that exposes the body of Potiphar´s wife,  Joseph´s backward motion on the right side of the painting only serves to emphasize her advances.

This is a great appeal Italian painting, dating back to mid 19th century and coming from a private collection of Milan. Quite good age related  condition, minor painting losses.