Two Studies for Blind Tobit by the School of Rembrandt van Rijn is a masterful drawing created between 1648 and 1654. Executed using pen and brown inks and enhanced by a subtle grayish brown wash, the work exemplifies the expressive power achieved through minimal drawing materials. The classification as a study indicates its function as a preparatory exploration, allowing the artist to rapidly capture the gesture and emotional state of the figures before committing to a final painting or etching.
This piece focuses on the biblical narrative of Tobit, specifically depicting the dramatic moment of the elder man’s blindness. The artist employs quick, decisive lines and modeling achieved through the grayish brown wash, which subtly defines the volume and texture of the elderly men’s forms and clothing. The dramatic handling of light and shadow demonstrates an understanding of the powerful tenebrism characteristic of the Rijn school, where spiritual or psychological intensity is heightened through strong contrasts. Such works reflect the profound interest in humanizing and highly emotional depictions of Old Testament figures common in the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age.
The skillful application of ink and wash allows the draftsman to convey deep psychological anguish, illustrating the meticulous attention to character study that dominated the output of Rijn and his pupils. The ability to capture the specific struggles of individual men, even in a scriptural context, solidified the school’s reputation for profound humanism.
This significant drawing is part of the extensive collection held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The careful draftsmanship and focus on narrative detail firmly place this piece within the historical legacy of 17th-century Dutch drawings and prints. While the original resides in the Met, the enduring influence of the School of Rijn ensures that many of the preparatory drawings and related works are accessible today, often entering the public domain to be studied and admired globally.
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