Tobias en de engel 1644 - 1652

This engraving, "Tobias and the Angel," was made by Wenceslaus Hollar. The print is an exercise in structured composition, defined by contrasting textures that elicit complex thoughts about form and space. Look at how Hollar uses a dense network of fine lines to build form and space. The detailed patterns of the trees, sky, and water create varied textures that lead the eye through the composition and provide the engraving with a remarkable sense of depth. The angel is rendered with an elegant and elongated form, with the flow of the figure emphasizing his divine grace and movement. Contrastingly, Tobias is characterized by the sharp, solid lines of his human form. Hollar contrasts the natural and the supernatural through the use of line and texture. The precise strokes used to make "Tobias and the Angel" are more than just visual aids; they invite us to consider the layers of meaning present in the artwork. In viewing this engraving, we are invited to engage with its structural and symbolic depths, revealing the intellectual and artistic currents of Hollar's time.