The Marriages of Tobie 17th-18th century

Curator: Bernard Picart created this engraving, "The Marriages of Tobie," sometime between 1673 and 1733. It's quite a detailed scene for such fine lines. Editor: It feels…theatrical. Like a stage set, with the angel pulling the reluctant groom towards the wedding feast. Is he hesitant? Curator: Well, the story of Tobie involves divine intervention and healing, so perhaps the "reluctance" is more about awe than hesitation. Notice how the artist uses light and shadow to guide our eyes. Editor: Still, I’m drawn to the angel. That determined stride and the way he’s practically dragging Tobie along. It almost feels like a comedy routine. Curator: The piece does offer a lighter take on religious narrative, fitting into a broader trend of humanizing biblical stories. Editor: Humanizing, yes, but with a wink. It’s in the details, isn’t it? The slightly overdramatic gestures and the faces of the wedding guests… Curator: Indeed, Picart was skilled at capturing those nuances of human interaction, grounding the divine in the everyday. Editor: A divine comedy, then. Perhaps that's why it still resonates after all these years.