00:00
/
00:00
Wierix, Hieronymus (attributed to)
Tobit Accusing Anna of Stealing the Kid; No. 2 in a series of 6: The Story of Tobit Tobit accusant Anna d'avoir volé le chevreau; no 2 d'une série de 6 : Le livre de Tobie
Around 1582-85 v. 1582-1585

The second plate in a series of six reproductive prints illustrating the Book of Tobit after designs by Marten de Vos centers on Tobit accusing his wife of stealing a kid. The scene is set in an interior setting. Anna stands near her blind husband who sits in a chair to the left. She holds a young goat by one of its forepaws and looks at Tobit with an air of contempt. Upon hearing the kid cry, Tobit raises his hand in an accusatory manner convinced his wife has stolen the animal. In the middle ground, under an open window, Anna sits on a bench toiling away in front of a loom. The physical nature of her labour has taken its toll on her body; she is barely able to keep her eyes open. Yet, it is by weaving yarn that Anna earns an income and, as the biblical passage notes (Tobit 2:12-13), on this particular occasion, her employer rewards her with a kid. Further back in the composition, to the right, Tobit is praying in his lonesome at the edge of a bed. Realizing his mistake, he despairingly begs God for forgiveness.

Wierix, Hieronymus (attributed to)
Antwerp, Belgium 1553-Antwerp, Belgium 1619 Antwerp, Belgium 1553-Antwerp, Belgium 1619
Tobit Accusing Anna of Stealing the Kid; No. 2 in a series of 6: The Story of Tobit Tobit accusant Anna d'avoir volé le chevreau; no 2 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
53-046.100

Subscribe to our “This Week at Agnes” e-newsletter to stay abreast of events, news and opportunities at the art museum.