A detailed graphite and wash drawing depicting the biblical journey of Tobias and the Angel, inspired by the work of Adam Elsheimer.

This drawing by Moses ter Borch depicts the biblical narrative of Tobias and the Angel. The composition follows the visual tradition established by Adam Elsheimer, a German painter whose work was highly regarded by Dutch artists of the seventeenth century. Ter Borch captures the moment the young Tobias, accompanied by the archangel Raphael, crosses a stream. Tobias carries a fish, a central element of the story, while the angel guides him forward. A small dog, also part of the traditional iconography of this tale, follows closely behind on the bank.

The artist employs a delicate use of wash to create depth and shadow, particularly in the foliage and the figures. The line work is precise, reflecting the training typical of the Ter Borch family, who were known for their technical proficiency. The scene is set within a quiet, natural environment, with the figures positioned in the foreground against a backdrop of trees and a distant water feature. The inclusion of small details, such as the frogs on the riverbank, adds a sense of immediacy to the biblical scene.

Moses ter Borch, the younger brother of the painter Gerard ter Borch, produced a relatively small body of work due to his early death. His drawings often demonstrate a keen interest in copying and interpreting the works of earlier masters, a common practice for artists of his period. This piece functions as a study of light and form, demonstrating how the artist translated the atmospheric qualities of Elsheimer's original compositions into a monochrome medium. The work remains a clear example of the seventeenth-century Dutch approach to religious subjects, where narrative clarity is balanced with careful observation of the natural world.