The Triumph of Tobias

1559 (published 1638)

Dirck Volckertz Coornhert after Maerten van Heemskerck

Associated Names
Dirck Volckertz Coornhert

Artist, Netherlandish, 1522 - 1590

Joannes Galle

Publisher, Flemish, probably 1600 - 1676

Maerten van Heemskerck

Artist After, Netherlandish, 1498 - 1574

This is a drawing of a bearded man riding a donkey while holding a long staff. The man is wearing a flowing cloak and hat. The landscape features another man, a woman, and a shack behind them. The drawing illustrates a narrative scene with intricate detail. The man, identified as Tobias, is depicted riding a donkey, accompanied by a small dog leading the way in the foreground. The woman gestures towards the path, while behind her, a banner with an emblem adds authority to the depiction. The background shows a pastoral setting with trees and architectural structures. In the bottom section of the drawing, there is a piece of Latin text. The composition is rendered with precision in lines, showcasing a classic style, likely influenced by Renaissance art.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving and etching on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 30.4 × 39 cm (11 15/16 × 15 3/8 in.)
    plate: 20.5 × 25.7 cm (8 1/16 × 10 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1974.53.10

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein, no. 441, State iv/iv

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Craddock and Barnard, London); purchased by NGA, 1974.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts ca. 1400-1700. 8 vols. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1954-1868. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger.

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. Maarten van Heemskerck. Parts I and II. Compiled by Ilja M. Veldman and edited by Ger Luijten. Roosendaal: Koninklijke van Poll, 1993.

Inscriptions

lower left, in plate, in image: Martinus Heemskerck inventor; lower right, in plate, in image: Caeca / Paupertas; upper left; in plate, in image: TOBIAS; lower right, in plate, numbered in image: 6 (reversed); below image, in plate: Quanta seni TOBIÆ fuerit patientia, quauta / Asperiras vitæ tam longo tempore, rebus / Amissis, oculisque, docent veteris monumenta / Scripturæ, sed iniquo animo haud tulit, immo / Cernere quem mundi nescit Sapientia, cæcus / Ipse fide agnouit, soli cui fidit in æuum. (From the books of the Old Testament we learn of the great endurance of old Tobias, and of the bitterness of his life for so long after he had lost his possessions and his sight. But he bore his afflictions calmly; yea more, blind himself he saw in faith him whom the wisdom of the world cannot perceive, and upon him alone he placed his trust for evermore. [translation from Veldman, Ilja. "Dirck Volkertsz. Coornhert and Heemskerck's allegories." In Maarten van Heemskerck and Dutch humanism in the sixteenth century, p.67. Maarssen: Gary Schwartz, 1977.])

Markings

None

Watermarks

present but not identified

Wikidata ID

Q65567758

You may be interested in

Loading Results