Artwork
Tobias and the Angel
Tobias and the Angel is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Eglon van der Neer. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Eglon van der Neer’s oil painting *Tobias and the Angel*, executed in 1696, presents a quiet woodland scene populated by two travelers. The work belongs to the Dutch Golden Age and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. Its composition balances figures, foliage, and a solitary tree, creating a harmonious yet narrative-driven tableau.
Subject & Meaning
The scene illustrates the biblical episode of Tobias accompanied by the archangel Raphael, a story from the Book of Tobit. The elder figure, cloaked in red and bearing golden wings, leads the younger companion, who holds a staff and wears a dark blue garment. Their journey through the forest alludes to themes of guidance and divine protection.
Technique & Style
Van der Neer employs a delicate layering of translucent oil glazes that allow light to suffuse the faces and drapery, producing a subtle luminescence. The chiaroscuro effect is achieved through a soft illumination that contrasts with the deep shadows of the surrounding trees, while the textured bark and tangled roots are rendered with fine, almost sketch‑like strokes.
History & Provenance
Created toward the end of the 17th century, the painting reflects van der Neer’s mature period, during which he turned from courtly portraits to narrative subjects. After remaining in private hands for several generations, the canvas entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s representation of Dutch Golden Age narrative painting.
Context
In the late 1600s, Dutch artists frequently turned to biblical and moralizing subjects, integrating them into everyday landscapes. Van der Neer’s choice of a wooded setting for a scriptural episode aligns with contemporary trends that sought to make sacred stories relatable through familiar, natural environments, while also showcasing the painter’s skill in atmospheric effects.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Eglon van der Neer (1635/36 – 3 May 1703) was a Dutch painter of historical scenes, portraits and elegant, fashionable people, and later of landscapes.
