Artwork
Tobias and the Angel
Tobias and the Angel is an oil painting by the Naturalist artist Jean Charles Cazin. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the young Tobias accompanied by the Archangel Raphael, who, according to the narrative, was sent to guide him on a journey.
The painting depicts the biblical episode of Tobias and the Angel, a popular subject in religious art drawn from the Book of Tobit. The composition centers on the young Tobias accompanied by the Archangel Raphael, who, according to the narrative, was sent to guide him on a journey. A dog, traditionally included in scenes of this story, also appears in the work.
The pairing of the mortal traveler and his divine protector embodies themes of divine guidance, protection, and faithful companionship, with Raphael serving as both a literal escort and a symbolic guardian. As a religious genre painting, the work translates this Old Testament tale of trust and providence into a contemplative visual narrative.
Technique & Style
Cazin employed oil paint on canvas to depict the biblical scene, a medium consistent with French academic practice of the late 19th century. The composition is organized along a shallow, planar recession, with the standing angel and Tobias placed close to the picture plane, their forms sharply defined against a subdued background. Light models the figures’ drapery and anatomy with smooth transitions, while the dog’s rendered fur and the angel’s luminous wings introduce textural contrasts.
Handling is restrained, favoring controlled brushwork over visible impasto. No source addresses condition, but the work’s stable support and careful layering suggest good preservation.
History & Provenance
Jean-Charles Cazin created the oil painting Tobias and the Angel in 1878. Executed on canvas, the work depicts the biblical figures Tobias and the archangel Raphael, accompanied by a dog. The painting measures 58.6 cm in height and 84.2 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Jean Charles Cazin's 1878 oil painting Tobias and the Angel is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The work, which depicts the biblical figures Tobias and Raphael accompanied by a dog, is executed on canvas with dimensions of 58.6 cm in height and 84.2 cm in width. While the artwork's current location and physical attributes are documented, the provided records do not contain specific inventory accession numbers or a history of public exhibitions for this piece.
Overview
Tobias and the Angel is a religious oil painting created by French artist Jean Charles Cazin in 1890. The work is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Context
Jean Charles Cazin's work reflects late 19th-century European artistic tendencies, blending realism with religious subject matter. This piece exemplifies his approach to capturing serene, natural settings for biblical narratives.
Legacy
While not widely renowned as a seminal work of the era, 'Tobias and the Angel' remains a notable example of Cazin's style and the continued interest in religious art during the late 19th century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Charles Cazin was a French landscapist, museum curator and ceramicist.
