The Archangel Raphael and Tobias 1439 - 1491

Neri di Bicci's "The Archangel Raphael and Tobias" (1439-1491) is a small, intimate painting that depicts a scene from the biblical Book of Tobit. The archangel Raphael, recognizable by his wings and halo, guides the young Tobias on his journey. Tobias carries a fish, a symbol of the miraculous healing powers associated with Raphael. The work is characterized by the artist's meticulous attention to detail, including the intricate patterns on the figures' clothing and the naturalistic landscape surrounding them. The painting, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the Florentine tradition of devotional art, likely commissioned for private devotion.