St. Josephs Dream Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn (1606-1669)

The painting St. Josephs Dream depicts a scene from the Gospel of Matthew where an angel appears to Joseph in a dream to allay his fears about Marys pregnancy.

What I see:

The painting is characterized by its dramatic chiaroscuro, with strong contrasts between light and shadow. This technique is used to highlight the figures and imbue the scene with a sense of mystery and divine intervention.

• St. Joseph: He is depicted as a weary, elderly man, kneeling or slouched in the foreground, with his head resting on his hand, suggesting deep thought or troubled sleep. A staff lies beside him, a symbol of his journey and his role as a protector.
• The Angel: A radiant angel, with large outstretched wings, hovers above Joseph, bathed in a soft, ethereal light. The angels pose is one of reassurance and communication, with a hand possibly reaching towards Joseph.
• Mary and the Child: To the right, a cloaked figure, presumably Mary, cradles an infant wrapped in a reddish cloth. Her face is turned towards the viewer, with a somewhat sorrowful or contemplative expression, implying the weighty future of her child. The presence of an ox or cow behind them evokes the Nativity scene.
• Setting: The environment is dark and rustic, with hints of a stable or a humble dwelling. The textured brushwork contributes to a sense of age and perhaps foreboding, a contrast to the divine light.

Subtexts:

• Doubt and Reassurance: The primary subtext relates to Josephs internal conflict. Upon learning of Marys pregnancy, he was faced with a difficult moral and social dilemma. The dream signifies divine reassurance and validation of Marys purity and the miraculous nature of the conception.
• Divine Providence: The painting emphasizes the idea that events leading to Jesus birth were not accidental but guided by divine will. The angels appearance highlights Gods plan unfolding despite human uncertainties.
• Foreknowledge and Destiny: Marys contemplative gaze and the presence of the infant hint at the prophecy and the destined path of Jesus. The painting, therefore, carries an undercurrent of future suffering and sacrifice, foretold even in the Saviors infancy.
• The Ordinary and the Extraordinary: Rembrandt masterfully blends the mundane reality of a humble setting and a troubled man with the extraordinary event of divine revelation. This juxtaposition underscores the idea that divine intervention can occur in the most ordinary of circumstances and affect the lives of ordinary people.
• Faith and Obedience: Josephs acceptance of the angels message and his subsequent actions represent ultimate faith and obedience to Gods command, even when it defied societal norms and personal understanding.