The Blindness of Tobit: the Larger Plate

The Blindness of Tobit: the Larger Plate is a significant print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1651. This work exemplifies the artist's mastery of printmaking during the Dutch Golden Age. Executed primarily through etching, Rijn utilized substantial touches of drypoint to add rich, velvety burr and dramatic, heavy shadows. This combination of techniques enhances the emotional weight of the biblical narrative, showcasing the artist’s mature handling of texture and light. The complex interplay of fine line work and deep tonal areas marks this piece as characteristic of Rijn’s later period prints.

The subject is drawn from the Apocryphal Book of Tobit, focusing on the moment the elderly patriarch is accidentally blinded by sparrow droppings. This tragic human drama, centered on domestic anxiety and deep personal faith, resonated deeply with 17th-century Dutch audiences. Throughout the period 1651 to 1700, Rijn frequently explored intense psychological states through biblical and genre subjects. This particular plate is known as the "Larger Plate" due to its scale, which allowed Rijn greater scope to develop the environmental and emotional detail compared to earlier, related compositions.

The work is classified as a print, and the technical brilliance displayed in Rijn’s handling of the copper plate solidified his legacy as one of the greatest printmakers of the era. The power of the image resides in its profound intimacy and pathos. The enduring quality of this masterwork ensures its continued study and appreciation. This impression is held in the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. As with many important works from the Dutch period, high-resolution images and fine art prints of this piece are often made available to the public domain for scholarly research and enjoyment.