Artwork
Tobias heals his Father
Tobias heals his Father is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Bernardo Strozzi. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Bernardo Strozzi’s oil painting *Tobias Heals His Father*, executed in 1640, belongs to the early Italian Baroque. The canvas presents a quiet, intimate moment between a youthful figure in a red robe and an elderly man in gray, both attended by two angels and a small dog. The warm, earthy background and subtle lighting give the scene a palpable sense of tenderness.
Subject & Meaning
The work illustrates the biblical episode from the Book of Tobit in which the young Tobias applies a medicinal ointment to his blind father Tobit’s eyes, a gesture of filial devotion and divine assistance. The presence of angels underscores the spiritual dimension of the healing, while the dog, a traditional travel companion in the narrative, adds a note of everyday realism.
Technique & Style
Strozzi employs a rich palette of reds, whites, and muted grays, allowing the figures to emerge from the subdued background. Soft chiaroscuro models the bodies, creating depth and a gentle three‑dimensionality. The brushwork balances fine detail in the fabrics with broader, more fluid strokes in the surrounding space, reflecting the early Baroque emphasis on emotional immediacy.
History & Provenance
Created in Genoa, the painting later entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display. Strozzi, known as il Cappuccino and il Prete Genovese, was active in both Genoa and Venice, influencing local artistic developments through his versatile output in history, allegory, genre, and portraiture.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Bernardo Strozzi, named il Cappuccino and il Prete Genovese (c. 1581 – 2 August 1644), was an Italian Baroque artist who was a painter and engraver. A canvas and fresco artist, his wide subject range included history,…
