Venetian School, second half of the 16th century, Tobit and Sarah led to Nineveh by the Archangel Azariah

Venetian School, second half of the 16th century

Tobit and Sarah led to Nineveh by the Archangel Azariah

Oil on canvas, 48 x 56 cm – With frame, 58 x 72 cm

The present canvas, created with precious colors and a skillful line, can be linked to the Venetian production of the second half of the 16th century. The subject of the painting is probably taken from the Bible. The episode in question refers to the story of Sara, Raguel's daughter, who was the victim of a demon in love with her, Asmodeus, who every time she married her, killed her husband on her wedding night. She prays to God to save her from people's slander. The prayers cause God to send Tobit from Nineveh to Ecbatana where Sarah resides, to marry her. Tobias makes his journey together with Azariah, an archangel, who however presents himself in the guise of an expert traveller. It is he who advises Tobias to extract the gall, liver and heart from a fish, caught along a river where the two had found rest from the long journey, and to keep it in a bag. When Sara and Tobia meet they understand that their meeting is the fruit of God's will. Father Raguel blesses the couple and invites the servants to prepare the bridal chamber but also to dig a grave for good luck. However, under the advice of the Angel, before joining his bride, Tobias burns the gall, liver and heart of the fish in a brazier. The bad smell emanating from the brazier drives away the demon Asmodeus who will never return. The next day, the young spouses leave for Nineveh loaded with animals, servants and other riches donated by Raguel, still accompanied by Azariah, who reveals himself to be the Archangel Raphael once they arrive in Nineveh and after advising Tobias to sprinkle the gall on the eyes of Tobit's father, who regains his sight. 

The painted scene sees Tobias and Sarah, newlyweds, accompanied to Nineveh by the Angel who is portrayed in an original way from behind as he turns back, with the index fingers of both hands pointing to show the way to the newlyweds, who look at each other in love . The main group is accompanied by animals, a servant and some pottery (of Venetian and in particular Bassanesque style) or the gifts given to the spouses by Raguele. The human figures are shot from half-length and the painter fails to use perspective depth, placing the group of the spouses and the angel on a higher level and the shepherd/servant with the animals on the lower level. In the background we can glimpse the course of a river which recalls the place from which Tobias catches the fish from which to extract the elements that will save him from the devil.

The story represented there is rather rare in the history of art which mostly sees other stories of Tobit, such as Tobit and the Angel, Tobit Catching the Fish or the marriage of Tobit and Sarah. 

The object is in good condition

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