Artwork
Tobias and the Angel
Tobias and the Angel is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Francesco Guardi. It dates from 1754 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Francesco Guardi's 1754 oil painting depicts the biblical narrative of Tobias and the Angel, a subject rooted in religious tradition.
Francesco Guardi's 1754 oil painting depicts the biblical narrative of Tobias and the Angel, a subject rooted in religious tradition. The work illustrates the journey of the young Tobias accompanied by the Archangel Raphael, who guides and protects him. As a piece of religious art, the composition serves as a visual representation of divine intervention and guidance in human affairs, capturing a moment of spiritual significance from the Book of Tobit.
The imagery functions symbolically to convey themes of faith, protection, and the presence of the sacred within earthly travels.
Technique & Style
Francesco Guardi's Tobias and the Angel is an oil painting executed on canvas, created in 1754. The work measures approximately 56.5 cm in height and 75.5 cm in width. As a religious composition, it employs the traditional medium of oil paint to depict its biblical subject matter. The painting is currently held within the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
Tobias and the Angel was painted by Francesco Guardi in 1754, executed in oil on canvas while the artist was working in Italy. The work depicts the biblical subject of Tobias guided by the angel and is classified as a religious painting. According to its provenance, the canvas has been part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is currently displayed. No earlier ownership records or commission details are provided in the available sources.
Overview
Francesco Guardi's 1754 oil painting, Tobias and the Angel, exemplifies his early religious output. This work, possibly created in collaboration with his brother Gian Antonio, belongs to the Rococo movement. It depicts a scene from the Book of Tobit, where the Archangel Raphael guides the young Tobias on his journey. The painting is currently housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Lazzaro Guardi (Italian pronunciation:; 5 October 1712 – 1 January 1793) was an Italian painter, nobleman, and a member of the Venetian School.
