Artwork
Tobias heals his Father
Tobias heals his Father is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Bernardo Strozzi. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Symbolically, the work underscores the moral virtue of charity and the protective presence of celestial helpers in everyday life.
The painting illustrates the apocryphal tale of Tobias, guided by the angel Raphael, restoring sight to his blind father Tobit; this scene embodies themes of filial devotion, divine intercession, and the triumph of compassion over adversity within a religious context. The iconography includes the youthful Tobias holding a fish whose gallbladder restores vision, while Raphael appears as a youthful attendant, signifying guidance and miraculous healing. Symbolically, the work underscores the moral virtue of charity and the protective presence of celestial helpers in everyday life. The composition emphasizes intimate familial interaction, reinforcing the narrative of redemption and divine providence.
Technique & Style
Bernardo Strozzi's Tobias heals his Father is an oil painting executed on canvas, created in 1640. The work measures 145 cm in height and 222 cm in width, characteristic of the large-scale religious compositions typical of the Genoese school. As a religious artwork, the painting utilizes the oil medium to depict the biblical narrative of Tobit, Tobias, and Raphael.
The handling of the paint and the formal qualities align with Strozzi's stylistic approach during this period, focusing on the main subject of Tobit within a devotional context.
History & Provenance
Bernardo Strozzi executed the oil painting Tobias heals his Father in 1640. Created on canvas, the work depicts the biblical figures of Tobit, Tobias, and Raphael within the tradition of Genoese religious art. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains part of the institution's holdings.
Bernardo Strozzi's Tobias heals his Father is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. The work, executed in oil on canvas in 1640, depicts the biblical figures of Tobit, Tobias, and Raphael. While the painting's dimensions are recorded as 145 cm by 222 cm, the available sources do not provide a specific inventory or accession number for the piece within the museum's holdings. Furthermore, no information regarding the exhibition history of this specific work is contained in the provided records.
Legacy
The painting is recognized as an early example of Strozzi's mature style, characterized by dramatic chiaroscuro and emotional intensity, which influenced later religious works in Genoese art. Its composition and subject matter contributed to the development of narrative-driven religious painting in the 17th century, particularly in how biblical stories are dramatized with psychological depth. These qualities established a precedent for later artists exploring similar themes of compassion and redemption.
Overview
Bernardo Strozzi’s oil painting Tobias Heals His Father, executed in 1640, belongs to the early Italian Baroque. The canvas presents a quiet, intimate moment between a youthful figure in a red robe and an elderly man in gray, both attended by two angels and a small dog. The warm, earthy background and subtle lighting give the scene a palpable sense of tenderness.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Bernardo Strozzi, named il Cappuccino and il Prete Genovese (c. 1581 – 2 August 1644), was an Italian Baroque artist who was a painter and engraver. A canvas and fresco artist, his wide subject range included history,…
