The Angel Departing from the Family of Tobit

The Angel Departing from the Family of Tobit is a significant print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1641. This work exemplifies the artist's masterful handling of graphic media, utilizing etching and drypoint combined with a sophisticated granular bitten tone to achieve deep shadows and rich textural effects. As a prominent figure of the Dutch Golden Age, Rijn frequently explored biblical narratives, particularly those offering opportunities for dramatic psychological insight and high-contrast lighting effects, characteristic of art produced in the Netherlands during this period.

The composition captures the climactic moment from the Apocryphal Book of Tobit. Having guided Tobias and restored sight to Tobit, the Archangel Raphael reveals his true, divine nature, soaring heavenward in a blinding burst of light. Rijn meticulously contrasts the ethereal glow surrounding the angel with the dark, domestic setting where the family members react in astonishment, reverence, or terror, emphasizing the clash between the earthly and the supernatural.

The print classification highlights the versatility of Rijn's output; while celebrated for his paintings, his extensive production of prints like this etching remains crucial to understanding his prolific career. This particular work demonstrates the technical prowess Rijn achieved late in his printmaking endeavors. Today, impressions of this work are often available through the public domain, ensuring global access to his influential print legacy. This fine impression of The Angel Departing from the Family of Tobit resides in the esteemed collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.