Description
Rembrandt's painting "The Archangel Leaving the Family of Tobias" is a 17th-century masterpiece that showcases the artist's skill in depicting light and shadow. The composition of the painting is very interesting, as Rembrandt uses a technique called "clair-obscur" to create a dramatic effect in the scene.
In the painting, we see an angel about to leave the house of Tobias and his family. The angel is illuminated by a bright light coming from a window behind him, while Tobias's family is in the dark. This lighting technique creates a sense of depth and realism in the painting.
Color is also an interesting aspect of painting. Rembrandt uses a dark, earthy color palette to create an atmosphere of mystery and mysticism. The angel is dressed in white, which makes him stand out in the scene and gives him a heavenly air.
The story behind the painting is also fascinating. The play is based on a story from the Bible in which an angel helps Tobias and his family heal his father from an illness. Rembrandt chose to depict the moment when the angel says goodbye to the family, which gives the painting a sense of sadness and melancholy.
A little-known aspect of the painting is that it was stolen twice in the 20th century. The first time was in 1939 by the Nazis during World War II, and the second time was in 1983 by a lone thief. Fortunately, the painting was recovered both times and is now in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
In short, "The Archangel Leaving the Family of Tobias" is a Rembrandt masterpiece that stands out for its lighting technique, its dark and earthy color palette, and its depiction of a Biblical story with a touch of melancholy. In addition, its history of thefts and recoveries makes it even more interesting and valuable.