Healing of Tobit

Fetti employed oil paint on panel to create a detailed and emotionally charged image. The use of chiaroscuro, with strong light-dark contrasts, adds depth and emphasizes the dramatic and spiritual aspects of the healing scene.

Originally in the Muselli collection (Verona, listed in 1662), the painting changed hands through various European collectors, including the Orleans Collection. It was acquired for Catherine the Great in 1767 and has since remained in the State Hermitage Museum.

Created during the Baroque period, the work reflects the era's emphasis on dramatic lighting and emotionally intense religious subjects. Fetti's style, while influenced by Caravaggio's chiaroscuro, contributes to the distinct character of 17th-century Italian painting.

The Healing of Tobit, with its multiple autograph and non-autograph copies, testifies to Fetti's reputation during his lifetime. The painting remains a significant example of his oeuvre, showcased in the Hermitage's collections.