Who painted Tobias is threatened by the fish?

Tobias is threatened by the fish was painted by Unknown in 1550.

Where can I see Tobias is threatened by the fish?

Tobias is threatened by the fish is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Tobias is threatened by the fish?

Tobias is threatened by the fish is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Tobias is threatened by the fish

Unknown , 1550

Tobias is threatened by the fish is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Unknown. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Within the broader narrative of Tobit, the scene encapsulates themes of guidance, peril, and providence central to the apocryphal story.

The painting depicts the biblical episode in which the young Tobias, guided by the archangel Raphael, is menaced by a monstrous fish while crossing the Tigris River. According to the Book of Tobit, the fish’s gall later becomes a healing agent for Tobias’s father, Tobit, underscoring its dual role as both threat and instrument of divine mercy. The diminutive scale and vertical format focus attention on the tense moment of confrontation, emphasizing Raphael’s protective presence and the miraculous nature of the encounter.

Within the broader narrative of Tobit, the scene encapsulates themes of guidance, peril, and providence central to the apocryphal story.

Technique & Style

The work was painted on wood panel in a small format measuring 44 cm by 18 cm. It demonstrates the characteristic Venetian school emphasis on rich coloration and delicate modeling of drapery. The brushwork conveys a restrained realism in the figures of Tobias and the Angel while the surrounding marine element introduces a symbolic threat through its rendered aquatic forms. The composition maintains a balanced spatial arrangement typical of mid-sixteenth-century religious painting.

History & Provenance

The painting was created in 1550 and is attributed to the Venetian school, as recorded in its Wikidata entry. It entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display. The work depicts the biblical scene of Tobias threatened by a fish, aligning with its religious genre classification.

Overview

The painting 'Tobias is threatened by the fish' depicts a scene from a biblical narrative, showing a kneeling figure in a red robe, an angel, and a large fish in a serene natural setting.