Take One Picture: A display of work by primary schools inspired by the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchios's 'Tobias and the Angel'

Room G, 11 May–25 September 2011

Take One Picture is the National Gallery’s innovative flagship programme for primary schools. Teachers and pupils are invited to use a focus painting from the Gallery’s collection as a creative catalyst for learning across the curriculum. Hundreds of schools have been inspired to create original work following lines of enquiry related to this year’s painting, Tobias and the Angel, painted in the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio (left/right; about 1470–80).

The painting is based on a story from the apocryphal Book of Tobit. Tobias sets out on a long journey, from Nineveh (in modern-day Iraq) to Media (in Iran), to collect money owed to his blind father Tobit. He is guided by the guardian angel Raphael, protector of the young, travellers and the blind. When Tobias bathes in the River Tigris, a giant fish leaps from the water. Raphael encourages Tobias to remove the fish’s gall bladder, liver and heart in order to heal his father’s blindness.

Verrocchio was a successful painter and sculptor during his lifetime. Several well-known artists trained in his workshop, including Leonardo da Vinci, who may be responsible for some parts of the painting, including the lively dog.

The work presented here demonstrates the diverse ways in which schools have responded to 'Tobias and the Angel'.

Take One Picture is generously supported by The Dorset Foundation and by The Tavalozza Foundation.

The schools represented in the 2011 display are:

• Ashdell Preparatory School, Sheffield
• Barnett Wood Infant School, Surrey
• Bridge and Patrixbourne Church of England Primary School, Kent
• Castle Hill Special School, Huddersfield
• Cawston Grange Primary School, Rugby
• Deansfield Primary School, London
• Dunmow St Mary’s Primary School, Essex
• Fairholme School, Middlesex
• Gawber Primary School, South Yorkshire
• Hawes Down Infant School, Kent
• Hilltop Infant School, Essex
• Lingey House Primary School, Gateshead
• Little Gaddesden Church of England Primary School, Hertfordshire
• Milbourne Lodge School, Surrey
• Somerford Primary School, Dorset
• St Cuthbert’s Church of England Primary School, Leicester
• St Mark’s Church of England Primary School, East Sussex
• Summerfield School, Milton Keynes
• Sunnyhill Primary School, London
• Velmead Junior School, Hampshire