The Blindness of Tobit

"The Blindness of Tobit" is a deeply evocative print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1651. This image represents the artist’s mastery of the etching medium, enhanced here by sensitive touches of drypoint, resulting in dramatic chiaroscuro effects. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this impression, which is documented as the first of two known states, demonstrating the subtle evolution of Rembrandt’s technique during the printing process.

The scene unfolds within a cluttered, intimate interior, capturing the domestic tension following Tobit’s blinding. The composition is centered on the elderly man's anguish, surrounded by his immediate family. Rembrandt utilized the stark contrast between light and deep shadow to highlight the emotional drama while rendering the everyday elements of a 17th-century Dutch household. Details such as the prominent fireplace and functional wooden chairs ground the spiritual narrative in tangible reality.

This powerful narrative moment is enhanced by the inclusion of symbolic elements crucial to the biblical Book of Tobit. The presence of the family Dog, often representing fidelity and guidance, contrasts with the dramatic despair of the men in the foreground. Attention is also drawn to the underlying reason for the tragedy; the fish whose gall was mistakenly used rather than correctly applied for healing.

As one of the mature prints produced late in his career, this work showcases Rembrandt's profound ability to convey complex human relationships and interior psychological states through printmaking. The enduring quality of these 17th-century prints ensures that the masterwork remains globally accessible through institutional and public domain collections.