The icon depicts a scene from the life of Joseph, the Father of the Jews, according to the book of Genesis in the Old Testament. Joseph is depicted being drawn out of the well, where he was thrown by his elder brothers, as well as his selling by them to Ishmaelite merchants; in the background they are seen departing for Egypt (Genesis 37, 23-31). The icon, together with three others displayed at the Museum of Byzantine Culture, comes from a greater group of works consisting at least of  ten known icons. The icon painter was Theodoros Poulakis from Chania, Crete, who was among the most known painters of 17th century. For the specific icons Poulakis had copied an engraving by the Flemish engraver Jan Sadeler.