The Marriage of Tobias and Sara 1555

Maarten van Heemskerck created this print, 'The Marriage of Tobias and Sara', in the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-16th century. It presents an episode from the Book of Tobit, a popular story during the Reformation about faith, family, and divine intervention. In the image, Tobias and Sara are joined in marriage by a priest, while an angel stands guard, and a dog sits quietly by, representing loyalty and companionship. Behind them, a festive banquet takes place, while Moses holds the Ten Commandments in the background. Heemskerck was working in a time of religious upheaval and the image emphasizes traditional values and divine law, portraying marriage as a sacred institution blessed by God. To truly understand this artwork, research into the religious and social contexts of the 16th-century Netherlands, including the impact of the Reformation on artistic production, would be essential. This print offers a glimpse into the cultural values of its time, and how art served to reinforce or challenge those values.