The blindness of Tobit: the larger plate 1651

This is Rembrandt van Rijn’s etching, "The blindness of Tobit: the larger plate". The composition is dominated by dense, tangled lines that create a visually rich surface. Observe how the light catches on Tobit’s robe and the rough texture of the walls, revealing Rembrandt's mastery of light and shadow. The chaotic lines evoke a sense of the character’s inner turmoil. Rembrandt masterfully destabilizes established meanings of sight and perception, asking us to consider how blindness might open new ways of seeing and understanding. Finally, notice how the structural coherence of the composition is subordinate to the expressive qualities of the line. This is not just aesthetic but is a profound engagement with human perception.