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Maker Once Known; Heemskerck, Maerten van (after)
The Wedding Night of Tobias and Sarah; No. 7 in a series of 10: The Story of Tobias La nuit de noces de Tobie et Sarah; no 7 d'une série 10 : Le livre de Tobie
1556 1556

This engraving serves as the seventh plate in a series of ten prints produced by an unknown artist after designs by Maerten van Heemskerck illustrating the Book of Tobit. As with all the other prints in the series, various episodes from the biblical narrative are depicted in the same image. Here, primary focus rests on Tobias as he is on the verge of throwing the heart and liver of the fish he captured at the Tigris River into the fire burning in front of him. This action, under the supervision of the angel, drives away the evil spirit that has haunted Sarah’s previous wedding misfortunes. The spirit, personified in the form of a demon, flees the premises at the top right corner of the engraving. Further back, Tobias and Sarah kneel in front of the latter’s bed and pray to God. Although their backs are to the viewer, the two figures can be seen looking at each other as they call onto the Lord so that he may look favourably on their marriage. At the far left, a man, following orders from Raguel, digs a grave. Raguel fears that Tobias will face the same tragic end as the seven other men who died shortly after being engaged to Sarah.

Maker Once Known; Heemskerck, Maerten van (after)
Heemskerk, Netherlands 1498-Haarlem, Netherlands 1574 Heemskerk, Netherlands 1498-Haarlem, Netherlands 1574
The Wedding Night of Tobias and Sarah; No. 7 in a series of 10: The Story of Tobias La nuit de noces de Tobie et Sarah; no 7 d'une série 10 : Le livre de Tobie
1556 1556
Engraving, state 1 of 2 Gravure, 1er état sur 2
overall: 20.3 cm x 24.5 cm
Purchase, Bader Acquisition Fund, 2010 Achat, Fonds d’acquisition Bader, 2010
53-046.036

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