Dream of Saint Joseph in Religious Art - Rembrandt, Giotto and Philippe de Champaigne

“Christian iconography expresses in images the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words. Image and word illuminate each other.” (CCC 1160)

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Dream of Saint Joseph - Philippe de Champaigne (1602-1674)

Dream of Saint Joseph - Rembrandt (1606-1669)

There are three dreams of Saint Joseph mentioned in scripture.  They are from the first and second chapter of Matthew.  The first painting by Philippe de Champaigne may be from Matthew 1:20-24 as it appears Jesus has not been born yet.  The second by Rembrandt is probably a reference to Matthew 2:13 -14 where Joseph is warned to leave Bethlehem for Egypt.  

Matthew 1:20-24

Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means “God is with us.”

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Matthew 2: 13 – 14

When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,

and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.

Flight to Egypt - Giotto di Bondone (1267 - 1337)

Matthew 2: 19 -21

When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”  He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.

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Picture Source - Public Domain

The Role of Religious Art in Faith Formation - Month of December 2019 Index

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