Raphael and Tobias 1465

Curator: Ah, yes, “Raphael and Tobias,” a fresco dating back to 1465 by Benozzo Gozzoli, found in Sant'Agostino Church, San Gimignano. It strikes me as so tender. What catches your eye about this work? Editor: It feels surprisingly modern in its gentle simplicity. I'm intrigued by the angel's delicate features juxtaposed with the almost cartoonish proportions of the figures. How would you interpret this piece, considering its time? Curator: The scene presents us with a fascinating interplay of protection and guidance. Consider the symbols Gozzoli uses: Raphael holding a bowl and guiding young Tobias who, notably, carries a fish. The fish, a very early symbol of Christ, hints at healing and salvation. And the angel, not simply a guardian, embodies divine intervention, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely! So the dog at their heels… could that represent loyalty? Curator: Precisely. Loyalty, companionship, perhaps even a link to the earthly realm that both Raphael and Tobias are traversing. What feelings does this symbolic grouping evoke in you? Editor: A sense of hopeful journey, almost like a visual prayer. It's intriguing how Gozzoli weaves in these symbols to communicate so much more than just a biblical story. It definitely inspires consideration for how symbols evolve across cultures and through time. Curator: Indeed, and it's the layering of those meanings, rooted in centuries of cultural memory, that makes Gozzoli’s work enduringly powerful, don't you think? Editor: I agree, it’s like uncovering a secret language that resonates even now.