High-resolultion photograph(s) Download

Spilberg hailed from Düsseldorf, where he started to study painting under his father, who sent him to Rubens in Antwerp in 1640. But Rubens died that same year, so the young Spilberg continued to Amsterdam. Here he spent seven years studying under Rembrandt's only direct student, Govaert Flinck -- and hence Spilberg is considered a "second generation" student of Rembrandt. After completing his studies, he returned to Düsseldorf, where he worked as a family portrait painter in the court of Philip William, Elector Palatine. Spilberg created his masterpieces likely while still residing in Amsterdam. Large canvases were artistically more interesting, depicting mythological scenes with opulent figural compositions, in which he used bold color and focused on details. Today Spilberg's works are represented in leading galleries around the world. The painting tells the Biblical story of the rejected wife of Potiphar, the pharaoh’s administrator, who entrusted his slave Joseph with overseeing his home. The scene is very lively, with the figures in dynamic, S-shaped movement. The entire atmosphere is rounded out with contrasts between light and shadow, but also the details of individual items in the room. The painter's Dutch training is especially evident in the woman's face. Oil on wood panel.