00:00
/
00:00
Doetechum, Jan van, the elder; Doetechum, Lucas van (after Hans Bol)
Tobit Blinded; No. 1 in a Series of 6: The Story of Tobias La cécité Tobit; no 1 d’une série de 6 : Le Livre de Tobie
Around 1565 v. 1565

The Van Doetechum brothers, Jan and Lucas, specialized in producing prints after designs by other artists and worked extensively for Antwerp print publishers. They turned out a variety of landscapes after the works of Pieter Bruegel and Hans Bol—artists who were inspired by the imaginary panoramas of Joachim Patinir and Cornelis Massys. Several of these landscapes form part of series, as is the case with the plates after Bol illustrating the Book of Tobit dating from around 1565. In the first print from this set, Tobit sleeps against the outer wall of his home on the right side of the image. Surrounding him is a magnificent landscape lined with houses, churches and fortresses. People and animals populate the streets, while a winding riverscape leads off into the distance. Although the landscape is deep and expansive, there is no clear indication of the burial ground where Tobit lay to rest the body that was found near his home. However, the sparrow that causes Tobit to go blind is depicted at the edge of the roof of his living quarters. This structure shows signs of wear as cracks have started to spread along its periphery. Tobit’s modest home contrasts sharply to the grandeur of the castle surrounded by a stream on the opposite side of the composition.

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
Tobit Blinded; No. 1 in a Series of 6: The Story of Tobias La cécité Tobit; no 1 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
53-046.020

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