Artwork
Landscape with Tobias and the Angel
Landscape with Tobias and the Angel is an ink print by the Baroque artist Gilles Neyts. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in plate: G. Neyts. f.; lower right in plate: F.V.W. ex
About this work
Overview
Neyts renders the environment with lush, detailed foliage and a small stream that traverses the foreground, enhancing the sense of depth and naturalism.
Created in 1655, Landscape with Tobias and the Angel is an etching on laid paper by the Flemish artist Gilles Neyts. The work depicts the biblical narrative of Tobias and the Angel Raphael traveling through a dense, wooded landscape. The composition centers on the two figures positioned near a prominent tree; one figure kneels while the other stands, gesturing upward, likely indicating divine presence or direction.
Neyts renders the environment with lush, detailed foliage and a small stream that traverses the foreground, enhancing the sense of depth and naturalism. In the background, a building with a dome emerges through the branches, providing architectural contrast to the organic forms of the forest. This piece exemplifies Neyts' specialization in landscape etching, a genre in which he was highly active during the mid-17th century.
His work often combined topographical observation with biblical or mythological subjects, placing human figures within expansive, atmospheric settings. The etching reflects the Baroque interest in detailed naturalism and the integration of narrative within a landscape framework, contributing to the artist's reputation as a skilled draftsman and printmaker of his era.
Subject & Meaning
The work draws on the biblical episode of Tobias and the Archangel Raphael, a narrative often associated with guidance and healing. By placing the pair in a serene forest, Neyts emphasizes the theme of divine assistance within the everyday world, suggesting a contemplative pause in nature where the angel’s counsel is offered.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching, the image relies on delicate, intersecting lines to model foliage, water, and architectural details. Neyts’ handling of the plate creates a fine texture in the leaves and rippling surface of the stream, while the contrast of deep shadows and light strokes gives the scene depth without resorting to heavy cross‑hatching.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑seventeenth century, the print reflects Neyts’ reputation as a skilled draughtsman of landscapes and his interest in biblical subjects. While specific ownership records for this particular impression are scarce, the work is documented among Neyts’ printed oeuvre and appears in several catalogues of Flemish etchings from the period.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
- Landscape with a Stream
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