Tobias and the Angel 17th-18th century

Curator: Jacobus Coelemans, born in 1654, created this pen and ink drawing, "Tobias and the Angel," now held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels immediately intimate, almost like witnessing a private encounter. The delicate lines suggest a vulnerability, wouldn’t you agree? Curator: Absolutely. The subject matter is drawn from the Book of Tobit, where the angel Raphael accompanies young Tobias on a journey. It’s a narrative steeped in themes of healing, guidance, and divine intervention. Editor: Notice the prominence of the fish, its symbolism carries significant weight. In many traditions, the fish is a symbol of abundance, fertility, and spiritual transformation. Here, it connects to the healing of Tobias's father's blindness. Curator: The river scene itself acts as a location for symbolic cleansing. But from a modern perspective, the angel's intervention raises questions about agency, power dynamics, and how we frame the idea of assistance. Editor: It's amazing how a simple drawing can contain so many layers of interpretation. Thanks for guiding us through those complexities. Curator: My pleasure. It’s a reminder that art, even from centuries ago, can prompt us to rethink our present.