Where can I see Roundel with Tobias Drawing the Fish from the Water?

Roundel with Tobias Drawing the Fish from the Water is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Roundel with Tobias Drawing the Fish from the Water?

Roundel with Tobias Drawing the Fish from the Water is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Roundel with Tobias Drawing the Fish from the Water

Roundel with Tobias Drawing the Fish from the Water is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1505 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

Created in 1505, this religious roundel is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Created in 1505, this religious roundel is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work depicts the biblical figure Tobias drawing a fish from the water, an episode from the Book of Tobit, but the identity of the artist remains unknown, with records classifying the piece as an anonymous creation. The available documentation confirms the inception date, the subject, and the museum as both collection and current location, but provides no further details regarding the original commission, early ownership, a specific accession number, or any documented exhibition history.

Overview

This painting, titled Roundel with Tobias Drawing the Fish from the Water, presents a serene scene centered on a lone figure. The artwork depicts a man, dressed in a hat and coat, holding a fish he has just retrieved from a body of water. The background features a tranquil landscape with trees and a distant building, all rendered in a subdued palette. The overall impression is one of quiet contemplation and natural harmony.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is Tobias, a character from the biblical Book of Tobit, shown at the moment he extracts a fish from the Tigris River. His calm and serene expression, as he gazes at his catch, conveys a sense of quiet purpose rather than struggle. This depiction emphasizes the narrative's themes of divine guidance and the miraculous properties of the fish, which Tobias later uses for healing.

Technique & Style

The artist employs a muted color scheme dominated by earth tones, contributing to the painting's tranquil atmosphere. The use of chiaroscuro is prominent, creating a strong contrast between light and shadow that enhances the sense of depth and dimensionality within the scene. This dramatic interplay of light not only draws the viewer's attention to Tobias but also imbues the peaceful environment with a subtle intensity.

Artist & collection

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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