Tobit and Anna 1659

Rembrandt van Rijn created this oil painting of Tobit and Anna in the Dutch Republic, during the 17th century. Here, Rembrandt depicts a domestic scene drawn from the Book of Tobit. He uses a somber palette and chiaroscuro to evoke the atmosphere of the story. Tobit, now blind, sits near the fireplace, while his wife, Anna, works by the window. The setting and the garments worn by the characters reflect the culture of Rembrandt's time, with both figures presented in a somber interior that would be at home in the artist's native Holland. Looking at the era in which it was produced, we might wonder about the place of the Bible in Dutch cultural life, or the changing social status of women in this period. To find out more, we can always consult historical documents, religious texts, and social histories that shed light on Rembrandt's world. By studying the world in which art is made, we get closer to understanding its enduring power.