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Wierix, Hieronymus (attributed to); de Vos, Maerten de (after)
The Blinding of Tobit; No. 1 in a series of 6: The Story of Tobit La cécité de Tobit; no 1 d'une série de 6 : Le livre de Tobie
Around 1582-85 v. 1582-1585

Marten de Vos was a prolific draughtsman who created hundreds of designs that were engraved by some of the finest reproductive printmakers of his time. He furnished designs for a multitude of series, many of which, including his illustrations related to the Book of Tobit, were well known throughout Europe. Agnes owns a series of six prints attributed to the engraver Hieronymus Wierix made after De Vos’s drawings. These prints date from around 1582–1585—one of the most productive periods of Wierix’s career. The first plate of the series focuses on the blinding of Tobit and the burial of the murdered man whom Tobias had found on the streets near his house. Chapter two of the Book of Tobit describes how after burying the dead body—represented here in the middle ground—Tobit falls asleep against the outer wall of his home. During the night, birds nesting above him drop dung in his eyes, causing Tobit to go blind. In this rendition of the story, Tobit’s wife, Anna, reaches toward her husband’s right hand, which he has placed against his forehead, and appears to be trying to peel off some of the droppings that cover him. A figure placed near a doorway at the back right looks on intently at the unfolding scene.

Wierix, Hieronymus (attributed to); de Vos, Maerten de (after)
Antwerp, Belgium 1553-Antwerp, Belgium 1619; Antwerp, Belgium 1532-Antwerp, Belgium 1603 Antwerp, Belgium 1553-Antwerp, Belgium 1619; Antwerp, Belgium 1532-Antwerp, Belgium 1603
The Blinding of Tobit; No. 1 in a series of 6: The Story of Tobit La cécité de Tobit; no 1 d'une série de 6 : Le livre de Tobie
Around 1582-85 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
53-046.098

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