Tobias en de engel aan de rivieroever c. 1745 - 1765

This mezzotint by James McArdell depicts Tobias and the Angel along a riverbank, an enduring scene embodying divine guidance. The angel, a winged messenger, leads Tobias, his hand a gesture of reassurance and direction. This motif of divine intervention—an ethereal being guiding mortal steps—echoes through art history, seen in classical depictions of Hermes guiding souls, and later in Renaissance art, where angels become frequent guides in sacred narratives. The angel's protective stance, a symbol of guardianship, hearkens back to ancient winged deities watching over humanity. This image engages us on a primal level; the archetype of the protector resonates with our deepest desires for safety and guidance. Notice how this iconography has resurfaced, evolved, and been reinterpreted across cultures, reminding us of our collective yearning for protection.