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Tobit Burying the Dead

Domenico Piola

1655

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Allegory

Dominant colour

Tobit Burying the Dead is a 1655 chalk by Domenico Piola, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Domenico Piola
When & what style?: 1655 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a chaotic scene with three figures in a rocky landscape. One person stands over a body on the ground, holding a hand or object toward it. Another figure kneels nearby, and a third person in the background seems to be reaching out or reacting. The lines are loose and sketchy, with quick strokes that leave some areas unfinished. The artist used ink and wash to create a dramatic, almost raw feel—like a quick study rather than a polished work. The title *Tobit Burying the Dead* suggests this is a biblical story, but the sketch feels more like a practice piece than a final painting. If you like this style, look up Baroque to see how artists used movement and emotion in their work.