Der junge Tobias heilt seinen Vater mit der Fischgalle

About this artwork

Das Thema zu diesem Gemälde wurde 1753 von Paul Troger an der Wiener Akademie für den Malereiwettbewerb gestellt. Als Sieger gingen dabei aber Christoph Unterberger und Martin Knoller hervor; Sigrist erhielt – nach dem er im Jahr zuvor Zweiter geworden war – jedoch keine Stimme.

Art Historical Context

**Der junge Tobias heilt seinen Vater mit der Fischgalle** (1753) by Franz Sigrist the Elder is a captivating oil on canvas painting measuring 73.5 x 91.5 cm, now part of the Belvedere Collection in Vienna. work depicts a biblical scene from the Book of Tobit, where young Tobias uses the gall of a fish to restore his blind father’s sight—a moment of faith, obedience, and divine intervention that has inspired artists for centuries. Created as an entry for the 1753 painting competition at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, the theme was personally set by the renowned Baroque master Paul Troger. While Christoph Unterberger and Martin Knoller emerged as winners, Sigrist— who had placed second the previous year—received no votes this time. This context highlights the fierce competition among emerging Austrian artists in the mid-18th century, a period when the Academy championed Rococo and Neoclassical ideals. Sigrist’s piece stands as a testament to his technical skill and dedication, even in defeat. Housed in the Belvedere, this gem invites visitors to appreciate not just its narrative warmth but the historical snapshot of artistic ambition in Enlightenment-era Vienna, where talent vied for recognition under Troger’s influential gaze.