Bicci di Lorenzo (1378-1452) – Scenes from the Story of Tobias: Tobias marries Sarah; the Archangel Raphael leaves Tobias and his wife Anna Kunsthistorisches Museum

The diptych presents two distinct scenes, unified by a shared architectural framework and a palette dominated by warm tones – ochre, terracotta, and gold – that contribute to a sense of solemnity and piety. The left panel depicts what appears to be a wedding feast. A long table is laden with food, arranged in a manner characteristic of the period’s depictions of abundance and prosperity. Numerous figures are present; some recline at the table, while others stand observing. Their expressions range from serene contentment to quiet contemplation. Notably, several individuals wear elaborate garments – a red tunic on one figure, suggesting status or importance – while others are clad in simpler attire. The architectural setting is defined by slender columns supporting a decorative frieze, creating an enclosed and intimate space for the event.
The right panel shifts the focus to a more private moment. Here we see a bearded man seated upon a bed, attended by a winged figure who appears to be departing. The man’s posture conveys a sense of melancholy or resignation, while the departing figure – presumably divine – is depicted with an air of grace and purpose. A window behind them allows light to flood the scene, highlighting their forms and creating a visual separation from the surrounding space. The bed itself is richly adorned, suggesting comfort and status.
Subtleties within the composition hint at deeper meanings. The presence of multiple witnesses at the feast in the left panel might symbolize communal blessing or divine sanction for the union. Conversely, the solitary nature of the scene on the right – the departure of a celestial being – suggests themes of loss, separation, and perhaps the transient nature of divine intervention. The architectural framing throughout both panels creates a sense of enclosure, reinforcing the idea that these events are significant and contained within a larger narrative. The overall effect is one of restrained emotion and quiet dignity, characteristic of devotional art intended to inspire contemplation and reverence.