Joseph of Arimathea

Joos van Cleve's Joseph of Arimathea presents the wealthy follower of Jesus who donated his own tomb for Christ's burial, depicted in the half-length devotional format typical of Van Cleve's workshop production. Joseph of Arimathea was a significant figure in later hagiographic tradition, particularly in Britain where he was credited with bringing Christianity and the Holy Grail to Glastonbury. As a portrait-like image of an important New Testament figure, this work exemplifies Van Cleve's skill in giving biblical personalities a dignified individual presence, combining the conventions of portraiture with the requirements of sacred iconography.

The painting demonstrates the technical conventions and artistic vocabulary of the period, with attention to composition, color, and the rendering of form appropriate to the subject.