Joseph's Pit and Well, Aquatint of Jubb Yussef in Israel, 1803

Joseph's Pit and Well, Aquatint of Jubb Yussef in Israel, 1803

This evocative hand-colored aquatint titled Joseph’s Pit and Well presents a rare and atmospheric view of the site traditionally associated with the biblical story of Joseph. The location, known as Jubb Yussef (Arabic for “Joseph’s Well”), lies in modern-day Israel and has been linked for centuries with the episode in Genesis 37, in which Joseph is thrown into a pit by his jealous brothers before being sold to traders journeying to Egypt.

The image captures a wide, dramatic landscape with distant rolling hills bathed in soft light, contrasted by the rocky foreground and a group of travelers. A mounted figure pauses with others near the well, while a structure, perhaps a khan or resting place, stands further back along the route. This rendering invites the viewer into a tranquil, yet historically significant scene marked by biblical narrative and pilgrimage tradition.

Drawn “on the spot” by F.B. Spilsbury, a British naval surgeon and artist, the print was published in London in 1803, forming part of his illustrated travel accounts of the Levant and the Holy Land. Spilsbury’s eye for topography and his sensitivity to the historical weight of biblical landscapes make this work not just a decorative print, but a document of spiritual geography as understood in the early 19th century.

Condition report: The aquatint is in very good condition with strong, even color and a clean impression. Some faint toning and mild spotting in the margins, well outside the image area. Wide margins preserved.

Framing tips: A gold or walnut frame with a warm-toned or off-white mount would enhance the earthy palette and historical mood of the piece.