Study for the figure of Sarah in the now-lost painting, "Tobias Brings His Bride Sarah to the House of His Father, Tobit"

Art Historical Context

This delicate drawing by Henri Lehmann captures a preparatory study for the figure of Sarah in his now-lost 1863 painting *Tobias Brings His Bride to the House of His Father, Tobit*. Based on the biblical Book of Tobit, the scene depicts the tender moment when the young couple arrives at Tobit’s home after their wedding. As a study, the work reveals Lehmann’s careful attention to Sarah’s pose and expression, emphasizing her grace and quiet dignity amid a dramatic narrative. Lehmann executed the figure in graphite and white chalk on blue paper, a technique favored in the nineteenth century for its ability to create luminous effects. The blue ground serves as a middle tone, allowing the white chalk to highlight drapery folds and the graphite to define shadows with subtle depth. Measuring just 13 by 8 7/16 inches, the sheet demonstrates the artist’s skill in rendering the female form with both precision and sensitivity. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1990 through the Karen B. Cohen Gift, this drawing offers modern viewers an intimate glimpse into the academic process of history painting. It stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of biblical stories in European art and the meticulous draftsmanship that underpinned grand compositions of the period.

About the Artist

Henri Lehmann · 1814–1882

French, Kiel 1814–1882 Paris