Artwork
Tobias and the Angel
Tobias and the Angel is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Eglon van der Neer. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work emphasizes divine providence and the interplay of human and angelic realms, underscoring themes of guidance, blessing, and the fulfillment of prophecy.
The painting depicts the biblical narrative from the Book of Tobit, showing the young Tobias accompanied by the archangel Raphael. In the scene, the angel guides Tobias, who carries a fish, a key element in the story, symbolizing protection and future healing. The fish also signals Raphael’s role as guide and guardian on their journey.
The work emphasizes divine providence and the interplay of human and angelic realms, underscoring themes of guidance, blessing, and the fulfillment of prophecy. The intimate, nocturnal setting heightens the sense of mystery and spiritual guidance central to the narrative.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting executed on wooden panel, measuring 16.5 cm in height by 24 cm in width. It depicts the biblical scene of Tobias and the Angel, rendered in a religious genre typical of late‑Baroque Dutch art. The surface handling shows a smooth, varnished finish characteristic of 17th‑century oil techniques, while the stylistic qualities include delicate chiaroscuro and fine linear detail that emphasize the narrative interaction between the figures.
History & Provenance
The painting Tobias and the Angel was created in 1690 by Eglon van der Neer as an oil on panel work measuring 16.5 cm by 24 cm. It depicts the biblical scene of Tobias and the Angel and was painted for Adriaan Leonard van Heteren Gevers, who is recorded as its owner. The work entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and remains there today.
The painting was later acquired by the Rijksmuseum, where it is catalogued under the name Tobias and the Angel and classified within the genre of religious art.
The inception date of 1690-01-01 is recorded in the source material, confirming the year of creation.
Eglon van der Neer's 1690 oil painting Tobias and the Angel is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The work resides within the Kabinet van Heteren Gevers, a specific holding named after the original owner, Adriaan Leonard van Heteren Gevers. The painting, executed on panel and measuring 16.5 cm in height by 24 cm in width, depicts the biblical figures of Tobias and the Angel as its main subject.
Overview
Eglon van der Neer’s oil painting Tobias and the Angel, executed in 1696, presents a quiet woodland scene populated by two travelers. The work belongs to the Dutch Golden Age and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. Its composition balances figures, foliage, and a solitary tree, creating a harmonious yet narrative-driven tableau.
Context
In the late 1600s, Dutch artists frequently turned to biblical and moralizing subjects, integrating them into everyday landscapes. Van der Neer’s choice of a wooded setting for a scriptural episode aligns with contemporary trends that sought to make sacred stories relatable through familiar, natural environments, while also showcasing the painter’s skill in atmospheric effects.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Eglon van der Neer (1635/36 – 3 May 1703) was a Dutch painter of historical scenes, portraits and elegant, fashionable people, and later of landscapes.
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Tobias and the Angel