The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree 1585

Curator: This is Adriaen Collaert's "The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree," a print from the late 16th or early 17th century. It depicts a biblical scene, but the setting feels very much of its time. Editor: It strikes me as severe, almost bleak. The tight lines of the etching and the architectural backdrop create a sense of enclosure. Curator: The fig tree, a symbol of spiritual nourishment, is here rendered fruitless, reflecting a community failing to uphold its moral obligations. Note how the figures actively work to cut the tree. Editor: And they are positioned near a winding river that slices the composition—a visual metaphor perhaps for the separation or divide within the community? Curator: Precisely. The central tower looms over the scene, a symbol of authority, but perhaps one that has lost its purpose. Editor: I see how the formal elements reinforce the somber narrative. It's quite striking how Collaert uses the architecture and landscape to mirror the parable's moral message. Curator: It serves as a potent reminder that faith without action is ultimately barren. Editor: A somber image that resonates on both a visual and allegorical level.