Saint Raphael with Tobias by Giuseppe Sanmartino

Saint Raphael with Tobias c. 1780

silver, metal, sculpture

silver

narrative-art

baroque

metal

stone

sculpture

figuration

sculpture

This silver sculpture by Italian artist Giuseppe Sanmartino, created around 1780, depicts the biblical story of Saint Raphael and Tobias. The angel Raphael is shown guiding Tobias, a young man, as he carries a fish. This scene illustrates a moment from the Book of Tobit, where Raphael helps Tobias overcome obstacles and dangers on his journey. The sculpture is characterized by its intricate details and realistic figures, which are hallmarks of Sanmartino's Baroque style. The composition features a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, highlighting the dramatic narrative of the story. The work is a testament to the artist's masterful use of silver and gold, showcasing the craftsmanship of the period.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Tobias, a young Jewish man, has been sent by his blind father to retrieve money left with a relative. Accompanying him on the journey are his dog and a hired guide who, unbeknownst to him, is the archangel Raphael. When they reach the Tigris River, Tobias is attacked by a monstrous fish. Raphael tells him to catch it and preserve its innards as medicines. Tobias later burns the heart and liver to free his future wife from a demon and uses the gall (bile) to cure his father’s blindness. The lively dog appears in other works by Sanmartino—it may have been the artist’s own pet.