Venetian school, Tobias and Sara in Nineveh, oil on canvas, 16th century

Tobiah and Sarah led to Nineveh by the archangel Azariah

Oil on canvas, 48 x 56 cm – Framed, 58 x 72 cm

The present canvas, made with precious chromatics and skillful strokes, can be linked to Venetian production in 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 Sarah, daughter of Raguele, who was the victim of a demon in love, Asmodeus, who whenever she married killed her husband on her wedding night. She prays to God to save her from people’s slander. Prayers cause God to send Tobiah from Nineveh to Ecbatana where Sarah resides, to marry her. Tobiah makes his journey together with Azariah, an archangel, who, however, comes in the guise of an experienced traveler. It is he who advises Tobiah to extract the gall, liver and heart from a fish, caught along a river where the two had found rest from their long journey, and to store it in a bag. When Sarah and Tobiah meet, they understand that their meeting is the result of God’s will. Father Raguele blesses the bride and groom and invites the servants to prepare the bridal chamber but also to dig a grave for superstition. Tobiah, however, under the Angel’s advice before joining his bride, burns the gall, liver and heart of the fish in a brazier. The foul smell emanating from the brazier drives away the demon Asmodeus, who will never return. The young newlyweds, the next day depart for Nineveh laden with animals, servants and other riches donated by Raguele, still accompanied by Azariah, who reveals himself to be the Archangel Raphael once they arrive in Nineveh and after advising Tobiah to sprinkle gall on the eyes of Tobiah’s father, who regains his sight.

The painted scene shows Tobiah and Sarah, newlyweds, being escorted to Nineveh by the Angel who is originally filmed with his back turned, with the index fingers of both hands pointed 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 particularly Bassanesque memory) that is, the gifts given to the bride and groom by Raguele. The human figures are shot at half-length, and the painter lacks perspective depth, placing the group of bride and groom and the angel on a higher level and the shepherd/servant with animals on the lower one. In the background is a glimpse of the course of a river, reminiscent of the place from which Tobiah fishes to extract the elements that will save him from the devil.

The story depicted there is rather rare in the history of art, which sees for the most part other Tobias stories, such as Tobias and the Angel, Tobias Fishing for Fish, or the marriage of Tobias and Sarah.

The item is in good condition