Saint Joseph was on the inside face of a shutter, probably from a triptych. It was on the reverse of 'An Angel' and would have been on the left of the missing central image of the Virgin Mary, when the triptych was open. The opposite wing, also in the collection, shows 'Saint Jerome' with 'An Angel' on the reverse.
Joseph holds the staff which miraculously broke into blossom demonstrating that he (among the Virgin Mary's many suitors) was chosen to be her husband.
Key facts
Artist
Artist dates
about 1498 - 1554
Full title
Saint Joseph
Group
Date made
about 1540
Medium and support
Oil on wood
Dimensions
153.6 x 54.1 cm
Acquisition credit
Bequeathed by the Misses Cohen as part of the John Samuel collection, 1906
Inventory number
NG2092
Location in Gallery
Other paintings in the group: Shutters from a Triptych
