The Devil Sowing the Tares, with Rabbit, Monkey, Greyhound, and Parrot 1582 - 1586

Curator: Here we have an engraving by Adriaen Collaert, who was active in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. This work is entitled "The Devil Sowing the Tares, with Rabbit, Monkey, Greyhound, and Parrot." Editor: The scene feels overwhelmingly allegorical. The landscape is so precise yet the mood is subtly ominous. Curator: Absolutely. Collaert masterfully uses the sharp lines of the engraving technique to create a sense of clarity that underscores the moral message. The contrast between light and shadow is stark. Editor: It's fascinating how he combines biblical symbolism, like the devil sowing weeds, with the realistic rendering of flora and fauna in the border. Each creature must have a specific meaning. Curator: Indeed. The inclusion of animals—rabbit, monkey, greyhound, parrot—adds layers of complexity, suggesting further moral interpretations beyond the central biblical narrative. Editor: It’s a potent reminder that visual language is a palimpsest, built from layers of cultural memory. Curator: A masterful example of how structure and symbolic content can intertwine to create a work that resonates on multiple levels.