"Tobias and the Angel Taking Leave of Raguel" by Rembrandt van Rijn is a profound and emotionally rich example of the artist's late drawing style, executed in ink on paper between 1650 and 1655. Created during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, this classification of Drawing showcases Rijn’s exceptional ability to capture high drama and intimate feeling through economical use of line and wash. As a master draftsman working in the Netherlands, Rijn elevated the status of the drawing medium from preparatory study to finished artistic statement.
The subject is derived from the Apocryphal Book of Tobit, specifically depicting the moment Tobias and his companion, the Angel Raphael, bid farewell to Raguel and Edna. The composition focuses intently on the figures clustered together, emphasizing the heartfelt connection and lingering sadness of the parting. Rijn frequently returned to biblical narratives, preferring scenes that allowed him to explore the deepest human emotions through subtle gestures and powerful interior lighting, even when working solely with ink. The rapid, expressive technique used here suggests the urgency and depth of the farewell, lending the scene an intense sense of psychological immediacy.
This important graphic work is maintained in the extensive collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Dating from the mature phase of Rijn’s career, the drawing reflects his persistent pursuit of spiritual and familial themes. Because of the enduring legacy of the artist and the widespread appreciation of his graphic output, the imagery found in Tobias and the Angel Taking Leave of Raguel is widely referenced. Today, high-quality prints of the work are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring that Rijn’s unparalleled mastery of ink and paper remains accessible to scholars and the public worldwide.
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