Huge 1600’s Flemish Old Master Oil Painting Tobias & The Angel Baroque Landscape

Tobias & The Angel Flemish Baroque Old Master, circa 1600 circle of Paul Brill (Flemish 1554-1626) oil painting on canvas, 43.5 x 59.25 inches condition: very good, restored and ready to enjoy provenance: from a private collection in France Immerse yourself in the captivating beauty and rich narrative of this stunning oil painting, painted on this grand ‘exhibition scale’. The work is late Renaissance/ early Baroque, Flemish and dates to circa 1600. It is very close to the Flemish artist Paul Bril (1554-1626). This masterful piece elegantly portrays the biblical scene of Tobias and the Angel from the Book of Tobit, a timeless story of guidance and divine intervention. Paul Bril (1554–1626) was a Flemish painter who is particularly known for his landscape paintings, which often include small figures engaged in various activities. He worked in Rome for most of his career and became famous for his detailed and atmospheric landscapes. The painting is very close in every respect to the works of Paul Bril and can either be attributed to him or at his circle, given the detailed and dramatic landscape, the inclusion of architectural ruins, and the small, narrative-driven figures. His works often feature a similar combination of natural and human elements, set in expansive, idyllic landscapes. Bril’s early works were influenced by the mannerist style, but he later adopted a more naturalistic approach, which can be seen in the detailed rendering of trees, water, and sky in his paintings. The composition fits well within his oeuvre, showcasing a sophisticated blend of natural scenery and storytelling through the figures and their actions. The painting depicts the biblical scene of Tobias and the Angel. This story comes from the Book of Tobit, part of the Apocrypha in the Christian tradition. The narrative describes Tobias, guided by the Archangel Raphael, on a journey to collect a debt on behalf of his blind father, Tobit. This story has been a popular subject in Christian art for centuries. Elements in the Painting: Figures: Tobias, typically depicted as a young boy, is shown with a small fish, a significant symbol in the story. The angel Raphael, often portrayed with wings and a guiding demeanor, accompanies him. The presence of the fish relates to the part of the story where Raphael instructs Tobias to catch a fish and use its organs for healing. Landscape: The dramatic and detailed landscape with mountainous terrain and river valleys is consistent with the style of Paul Bril, who often included such elements in his works. Architecture: The inclusion of ruins and classical structures adds to the narrative’s historical and religious context, which is also a hallmark of Bril’s landscapes.