Joseph, Jacob’s favourite son, was envied by his brothers, who sold him as a slave to the Egyptians. The Pharoah eventually made Jacob the governor of all of Egypt, the moment depicted here by Amigoni. This exaltation of good government decorated the Conversation Room in the palace of Aranjuez, a space devoted to the virtues of the monarchy. The carefully devised poses of the figures and the varied colours of their clothing reflect Amigoni’s Venetian training.