The Return of Tobias
Artist
Cristóbal de Villalpando
(Mexican, about 1649–1714)
Dateabout 1700–1714
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionscanvas:190.5 x 106.7 cm (75 x 42 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineTheodore T. and Mary G. Ellis Fund
Object number1975.64
Label TextIn this scene from the Biblical book of Tobias 7:1-8, Tobias, a young man, is on a journey to redeem money owed to his ill father. The angel Raphael, traveling in disguise, accompanies him, as does Tobias’ faithful dog. Along the way, Tobias stops at his father’s cousin Raguel’s home. As Tobias 7:7 relates, “And Raguel went to him, and kissed him with tears, and weeping upon his neck, said: A blessing be upon thee, my son, because thou art the son of a good and most virtuous man.” Tobias received more than just a warm welcome at his cousins’ home. He also fell in love with their daughter, Sara, shown second from left with her mother Anna. Although Sara had lost seven previous husbands to demonic attacks on her wedding nights, Tobias successfully survived his marriage, vanquishing the demon with help from the angel Raphael, shown at right, whose wings give away his secret identity.
Cristóbal de Villalpando was one of the most successful painters in Colonial Mexico. He had a large workshop and many important religious commissions, such as this painting. Like his colleagues, he gained compositional strategies from studying imported prints from Spain. Nevertheless, his style continued to evolve. This work dates from the last part of his career, when his figures became more delicate and elongated—traits that are visible in the slim proportions and wavy lines of the group shown here.ProvenanceHal O'Nians Gallery, London, UKOn View
Not on view
