BBC - Painting Flowers - De Beer's Joseph and the Suitors

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30 November 2009
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Joseph and the Suitors
c. 1515-1520
137 x 137 cm
oil on panel

This painting tells the story of Joseph being chosen as a suitable husband for the Virgin Mary.

He is shown as a humble, impoverished figure among other suitors in ostentatious finery.Joseph, meek and elderly, clasps a straw hat to his chest as he stands with the others before the High Priest.

The minute detail of the flowering of his staff into small white lilies suggests vitality and fertility, and marks him out as God's intended choice.




Joseph and the Suitors Jan de Beer Barber Institute of Fine Art, University of Birmingham


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Tom Davies, Wales
I love this picture, who are all the people though and where is it? INSPIRATIONAL!!!!!

marie
I found the flower!!! its on his robe(its the white squiggly bit)

liz
thats just what i thought!!!!

Rachel, London
Once you get over the mixing up of history with a church and altar as the background for Joseph’s betrothal to Mary, I enjoyed the looking at the different costumes of the various suitors. Joseph definitely stands out as the most composed and humble person who can’t quite believe he’s got a part to play in the proceedings.

kate
Can anyone spot the flower??

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