Who painted Tobias's Farewell to his Parents?

Tobias's Farewell to his Parents was painted by Samuel van Hoogstraten in 1660-01-01.

Where can I see Tobias's Farewell to his Parents?

Tobias's Farewell to his Parents is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Tobias's Farewell to his Parents?

Tobias's Farewell to his Parents is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Tobias's Farewell to his Parents by Samuel van Hoogstraten (1660)

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures the emotional weight of the family's separation as the young man prepares to leave home, grounding the religious story in a domestic setting.

Samuel van Hoogstraten's 1660 oil painting depicts the biblical narrative of Tobias's Farewell to his Parents, featuring the figures of Tobias and his father Tobit alongside a woman, a table, and a dog. As a work of religious art, the composition illustrates the specific moment of departure from the Book of Tobit. The inclusion of the dog is a traditional iconographic element associated with Tobias's journey, symbolizing loyalty and protection during his travels.

The scene captures the emotional weight of the family's separation as the young man prepares to leave home, grounding the religious story in a domestic setting.

Technique & Style

Tobias's Farewell to his Parents is an oil painting on canvas, created in the Netherlands in 1660. The work measures 65 cm × 73 cm and portrays a man, a woman, a table, a dog, Tobias and Tobit in a domestic setting, a scene drawn from the Book of Tobit. Executed in oil paint, the surface demonstrates the meticulous surface finish characteristic of Dutch Golden Age practice, while the composition balances narrative clarity with a restrained use of light and spatial depth. The painting belongs to the religious genre and is part of the Hermitage Museum’s collection.

History & Provenance

Samuel van Hoogstraten created Tobias's Farewell to his Parents in 1660 while working in the Netherlands, employing oil paint on canvas;. The painting measures 65 cm by 73 cm and depicts a biblical scene with Tobias, his father Tobit, a woman, a table, and a dog. It is classified as a religious work and was produced in the Dutch Republic.

The artwork entered the collection of the Hermitage Museum, where it has been held since its creation, and remains on display there. Documentary evidence does not record the original patron or commissioning details.

Tobias's Farewell to his Parents, painted by Samuel van Hoogstraten in 1660, is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. The work, executed in oil on canvas and measuring 65 by 73 cm, is catalogued within the museum's holdings of Dutch religious art.

No specific accession number or detailed exhibition history is documented in the available sources.

Overview

Samuel van Hoogstraten's 1660 oil painting, "Tobias's Farewell to his Parents," captures a poignant biblical moment. This religious genre piece, characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age, portrays the young Tobias departing from his concerned parents, accompanied by a dog. The artwork is part of the esteemed collection at the State Hermitage Museum, showcasing the artist's skill in narrative and emotional depiction.

Context

Created during the Dutch Golden Age, "Tobias's Farewell to his Parents" exemplifies the era's focus on rendering religious narratives with humanistic detail and emotional resonance. Samuel van Hoogstraten, a painter and art theorist, was a notable figure of this period. His work often explored themes of perspective and light, aligning with the broader artistic conventions and intellectual currents of 17th-century Dutch art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Samuel van Hoogstraten

Samuel Dirksz van Hoogstraten (2 August 1627 in Dordrecht – 19 October 1678 in Dordrecht) was a Dutch Golden Age painter, who was also a poet and author on art theory.