The Parable of the Sower, Plate I c. 16th century

Curator: This is "The Parable of the Sower, Plate I," by Gerard de Jode. It's a haunting image; the figures appear to be in a state of uneasy slumber. Editor: Uneasy is right. The starkness of the etching gives it a kind of harsh, dreamlike quality. I'm curious about the printmaking process, how that contributes to this feeling. Curator: De Jode seems to be drawing on a well of fear here. The sower, that wild, horned figure, brings a sense of primordial dread—he’s scattering seeds of doubt and discord. Editor: It's fascinating how labor is depicted here. The act of sowing, usually associated with growth and harvest, becomes sinister. The material implications are twisted. Curator: Absolutely. The slumbering figures symbolize spiritual neglect, inviting the sowing of tares among the wheat. The parable is a warning against complacency. Editor: The contrast between the slumbering figures and the active sower really highlights the tensions—the power dynamics at play in agricultural society. Curator: Seeing the artwork through your perspective helps me appreciate the deeper layers of its message. Editor: And I see the enduring power of symbols to convey profound truths about labor and society.