Giulio Carpioni was most likely born in Venice in 1613 and trained under the artist Alessandro Varotari known as Il Padovanino. After travelling to Rome early in his career he settled in Vincenza in 1638 where he executed the majority of his works. Carpioni developed an instantly recognisable style that assimilated influences from the Caravaggesque Venetian painters Saraceni and Le Clerc and Veronese artists active in Rome that included Turchi, Ottino and Basetti.

This work, Joseph Pardons his Brothers is an unusual example of a privately commissioned large scale painting depicting a religious subject. The story of Joseph was often depicted by 16th and 17th century Italian artists and it can be assumed that this work is part of a now lost series by the artist portraying the life of Joseph. Carpioni has depicted the moment that Joseph, as the Governor of Egypt, reveals his identity to his brothers. Whilst two kneel still unaware they are before their brother the figure in black, presumably Joseph’s youngest brother Benjamin stands, while figures in the background look to each other in shock. The brothers are asking for forgiveness because Joseph has hidden a silver cup in Benjamin’s sack with the pretense of bringing them in front of him. The dynamism of each figure within the composition is a testament to Carpioni’s talent at creating this format of history painting.

Carpioni has chosen to place the scene in a contemporary Venetian style palazzo setting with columns and Italianate architecture in the background. This contemporary feeling is further enhanced by the boldly coloured 17th century clothing each figure wears, this would have been done to allow for a contemporary Italian viewer to further understand the message of the picture.

Works by Carpioni can be found in public collections and museum across the world. The artist is today most known for his Bacchanal scenes with an important example in the Museo Thyssen -Bornemisza. The discovery of this work adds a new facet to Carpioni’s known oeuvre.