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Doetechum, Jan van, the elder; Doetechum, Lucas van (after Hans Bol)
The Departure of the Angel; No. 6 in a Series of 6: The Story of Tobias Le départ de l'ange; no 6 d'une série de 6 : Le Livre de Tobie
around 1565 v. 1565

The subject of this print is taken from chapter twelve of the Book of Tobit. After Raphael reveals himself to Tobit and Tobias, the angel ascends toward heaven. The biblical account describes how father and son alone witnessed this moment, but in the current print, Anna is also present at the scene. Anna and Tobit bend over with their heads tucked down, while Tobias kneels and looks skyward at the departing angel. To mark a clear shift in the narrative, the action takes place on the other side of Tobit’s house from where it stood in the earlier prints in this series. The dwelling is still decrepit and the same tree that supports a rod and piece of rope to draw water from a well—on display in Tobias Taking Leave of his Parents—is depicted here. Anatomical accuracy was not one of the strengths of the Doetechum brothers as the feet of the Archangel Raphael are posed in an awkward manner. Nevertheless, the overriding protagonist of this work remains the landscape, which is conveyed with admirable complexity. In the sixteenth century, many collectors were attracted to landscapes offering such panoramic views.

Doetechum, Jan van, the elder; Doetechum, Lucas van (after Hans Bol)
Deventer, Netherlands-Deventer, Netherlands 1600; Deventer, Netherlands-Deventer, Netherlands 1584 Deventer, Netherlands-Deventer, Netherlands 1600; Deventer, Netherlands-Deventer, Netherlands 1584
The Departure of the Angel; No. 6 in a Series of 6: The Story of Tobias Le départ de l'ange; no 6 d'une série de 6 : Le Livre de Tobie
around 1565 v. 1565
Engraving, state 1 of 1 Gravure, état unique
overall: 23.7 cm x 32.4 cm
Purchase, Bader Acquisition Fund, 2010 Achat, Fonds d’acquisition Bader, 2010
53-046.025

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