Tobie effrayé par le poisson (Tobias frightens the fish) 1762 - 1780

Jean Jacques Lagrenée created this etching, "Tobias frightens the fish," in the 18th century, a time when religious art was used to reinforce societal values. Here, we see Tobias, a figure from the Book of Tobit, recoiling in fear from a large fish while an angel gestures reassuringly. It's a moment charged with vulnerability, as the artist captures Tobias's raw human reaction to the unexpected. The angel's androgynous representation is typical of the period, yet it raises interesting questions about gender and power. Lagrenée invites us to reflect on how we react when faced with the unknown. The image challenges us to recognize our fears, and consider who or what comforts us in moments of uncertainty.