Manuscript Illumination with Tobit, Tobias, and the Archangel Raphael in an Initial O, from an Antiphonary

Italian

Not on view

The Book of Tobit, found in medieval Bibles and in Roman Catholic and Orthodox Bibles today, stresses obedience to God's law; respect for parents; the importance of prayer, fasting, and charity; and the protective power of angels. Here, Tobit, a righteous Israelite, bedridden and blind, gives advice to his young son, as articulated in the chant that this scene heralds: "Bless God at all times. And petition him that he direct your ways." Neither father nor son realizes that the boy's companion and guardian is the archangel Raphael.

Manuscript Illumination with Tobit, Tobias, and the Archangel Raphael in an Initial O, from an Antiphonary, Tempera, ink, and gold on parchment, Italian

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Manuscript Illumination with Tobit, Tobias, and the Archangel Raphael in an Initial O, from an Antiphonary, Tempera, ink, and gold on parchment, Italian
Manuscript Illumination with Tobit, Tobias, and the Archangel Raphael in an Initial O, from an Antiphonary, Tempera, ink, and gold on parchment, Italian

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