Tobias and the Angel 

Salvator Rosa created this painting, Tobias and the Angel, using oil paints on canvas. The very act of painting on canvas – stretching it, priming it, and then applying layer upon layer of pigment suspended in oil – was a skilled process in itself, deeply rooted in workshop tradition. Here, Rosa’s loose brushwork conveys the texture of bark and foliage, the sheen of the angel’s wings, and the gleam of the fish wriggling in Tobias’s grip. The thickness and viscosity of the oil paint allowed him to build up highlights and shadows, creating a dramatic contrast between light and dark. But it also suggests the value placed on the artist's hand, and the labor involved in producing such a work. In this period, the art market was becoming increasingly competitive, and works like these were commodities traded among wealthy patrons. Ultimately, understanding the materials, the making process, and the social context is key to appreciating the full meaning of Rosa’s painting.