The artwork “The blind Tobit” is a religious etching created by the master Dutch painter Rembrandt in the year 1651. It is a notable piece within the Baroque movement, showcasing Rembrandt’s skillful handling of light and shadow, a hallmark of the style. The genre of the etching is religious, likely depicting a scene from Biblical narratives that Rembrandt often turned to for inspiration. This particular artwork is held within a private collection and is not on public display.
The etching portrays an elderly, bearded figure that can be assumed to be Tobit, a character from the Apocrypha. Clad in flowing robes, Tobit relies on his tactile senses to experience his environment, stretching out his hands towards the architecture as a sighted person might rely on their vision. The composition channels the viewer’s attention sympathetically toward Tobit’s blindness and venerable age. His plight is further emphasized by the darkness of the room and the stark contrasts of light and dark, a method often employed by Rembrandt to infuse his works with emotional depth and gravity. He is shown indoors with indications of a simple, domestic space around him, including a chair and a spinning wheel, adding a quiet solemnity to the scene. Rembrandt’s expertise with the etching medium is clear, presenting delicate lines to capture textures and lighting with remarkable sensitivity, giving viewers an intimate glimpse into the Biblical story.