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Maker Once Known; Maerten de Vos (after)
Tobias Taking Leave of his Parents; No. 2 in a series of 6: The Story of Tobias Tobie prenant congé de ses parents; no 2 d'une série 6 : Le livre de Tobie
n.d. date inconnue

Marten de Vos’s designs for engravings were popular throughout Europe and many printmakers produced impressions after his works to reflect regional tastes. The French caption at the top of the print indicates that this work was intended for a French audience. In this work, primary focus rests on the warm exchange between Tobias and his father as the former departs for Rages. Tobit’s left foot extends beyond the framing device of the image at the lower left, heightening the sense of his movement as he reaches out to hug his son to bid him farewell. A woman stands behind Tobit, near the doorway, with her left hand pointing upward. Her gesture parallels the one carried out by the Archangel Raphael, who is interacting with Anna. Perhaps the woman is aware that Tobias is in the presence of a divine messenger and God will bless his journey. To the right, the artist conveys a later episode from the Book of Tobit. Raphael instructs Tobias to catch the fish that leaps out at him from the water.

Maker Once Known; Maerten de Vos (after)
Antwerp, Belgium 1532-Antwerp, Belgium 1603 Antwerp, Belgium 1532-Antwerp, Belgium 1603
Tobias Taking Leave of his Parents; No. 2 in a series of 6: The Story of Tobias Tobie prenant congé de ses parents; no 2 d'une série 6 : Le livre de Tobie
n.d. date inconnue
Engraving, state 1 of 1 Gravure, état unique
overall: 13.7 cm x 18.4 cm
Purchase, Bader Acquisition Fund, 2010 Achat, Fonds d’acquisition Bader, 2010
53-046.047

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