Tobias en de engel

About this artwork

Schenking van Kunsthandel Noortman

Art Historical Context

"**Tobias en de eng** by Pieter Janszca. 1655–1669) captures a poignant biblical moment from the Book of Tob, where the young Tobias journeys with the archangel Raphael, his divine guide. This intimate pen drawing, measuring just 201 × 156 mm, exemplifies Dutch Golden Age's fascination with religious narratives, blending spirituality with everyday human experience during a time when Protestant Holland grappled with Catholic iconography through subtle, personal works. Crafted in pen—likely ink on paper—Jansz's technique highlights the medium's precision and expressiveness, favored by 17th-century Dutch artists for sketches, studies, and standalone pieces. The modest scale invites close viewing, revealing delicate lines that convey motion and emotion in this guardian-ward duo, a motif popular in Northern European art for its themes of faith, protection, and divine intervention. Generously donated by Kunsthandel Noortman, a renowned Dutch art dealer, this work offers visitors a window into lesser-known gems of the era. It reminds us how such drawings, often overshadowed by grand oils, preserve the raw artistry of the period's masters.