Tobias and the Angel

In the depicted episode, Tobias follows his father’s instructions to travel to Media and retrieve a sum of money. Guided by Raphael, he seizes a fish whose organs are destined for medicinal use, symbolizing divine assistance and the healing power of faith.

Executed in the manner of 18th‑century Venetian painting, the work employs a luminous palette and delicate brushwork reminiscent of Francesco Guardi. The composition balances figures and landscape, using soft chiaroscuro to emphasize the angel’s protective presence over the youthful traveler.

The painting forms part of a larger series that contrasts Abraham’s test with the Tobit story, highlighting varied biblical encounters with celestial beings. While specific ownership details are limited, the series reflects the period’s interest in narrative cycles that explore moral and theological themes.

Created during a time when biblical subjects were popular in European art, the piece reflects Enlightenment-era fascination with moral exempla and the interplay between the divine and the everyday. Its inclusion of Raphael underscores the period’s emphasis on angels as mediators of divine will.