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Wierix, Hieronymus (attributed to)
The Angel Departing from Tobias and his Family No. 6 in a series of 6: The Story of Tobit L'ange quittant Tobie et sa famille; no 6 d'une série de 6 : Le livre de Tobie
around 1582 - 1585 v. 1582-1585

In the last plate of the series, the angel departing from Tobias and his family serves as the focal point. In the biblical narrative, the Archangel Raphael reveals himself to Tobit and Tobias alone; however, artists commonly showed the angel flying above a group of figures—including Anna and Sarah—as is the case here. All four figures kneel on the ground beneath the angel, but only Tobit and Tobias turn their heads up toward the heavenly messenger. The line of sight of Tobit—who by this point in time can see—and Raphael converges, while Tobias appears unsettled by the angel’s flight. Complementary scenes illustrating earlier moments of the biblical story appear on either side of the action highlighted at centre. To the left, Tobit and Anna welcome back Tobias and Raphael from their long journey. Tobias’s dog leaps toward Tobit, as father and son share a kiss. Further back, Sarah prepares to dismount her camel and meet her in-laws. To the right, through an arched opening, the operation that miraculously allows Tobit to recover his eyesight is in process.

Wierix, Hieronymus (attributed to)
Antwerp, Belgium 1553-Antwerp, Belgium 1619 Antwerp, Belgium 1553-Antwerp, Belgium 1619
The Angel Departing from Tobias and his Family No. 6 in a series of 6: The Story of Tobit L'ange quittant Tobie et sa famille; no 6 d'une série de 6 : Le livre de Tobie
around 1582 - 1585 v. 1582-1585
Engraving, state 2 of 2 Gravure, 2e état sur 2
overall: 19.5 cm x 27.5 cm
Purchase, Bader Acquisition Fund, 2010 Achat, Fonds d’acquisition Bader, 2010
53-046.103

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