On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P02255
- Author
- Lorraine, Claude (French)
- Title
- The Archangel Raphael and Tobias
- Chronology
- 1639-1640
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 211 cm x 145 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
This Old Testament story (Tobias 6,
1-8) takes place in a grove of
trees on the banks of the Tigris
River. The story of Tobias, the
father, and his son of the same
name, is a model of Jewish piety.
Christ's Passion is foreshadowed by
Tobias, the father, who remained
faithful to God's Law in the midst
of generalized abuse. He was put to
the test on several occasions and
always proved faithful. The scene
depicts one of those tests, when he
went blind and God sent the
Archangel Raphael to tell Tobias'
son that he could cure his father
by applying fish guts to his
eyes.
The sensation of profound serenity
and beauty produced by the evening
colors and infinite horizon is
impressive.
This work was painted for the Buen
Retiro Palace of King Felipe IV
(1605-1665) and is the companion of
The Embarkation of Saint Paula
Romana at Ostia (P2254), The Burial
of Saint Seraphia (P2252) and
Landscape with Moses saved from the
waters of the Nile (P2253), which
are also in the Prado Museum
Collection.
Location on the map
