Wijwaterbak met Tobias en de engel 1659

This is Jean Lepautre’s "Wijwaterbak met Tobias en de engel," an engraving of a holy water font. Notice how the composition relies on a central, circular scene framed by elaborate ornamentation. The primary image depicts Tobias and the angel, set within a landscape that invites contemplation. The surrounding framework, teeming with cherubs, garlands, and grotesque masks, serves not merely as decoration but as a structural element that enhances the scene's sacred nature. Lepautre masterfully uses line and texture to create depth and visual interest. The contrast between the detailed foreground and the softer background directs our gaze, encouraging us to explore the symbolic interplay between the earthly and the divine. This engraving exemplifies how the formal elements of art—line, composition, and texture—can combine to create a deeper narrative and spiritual resonance.