The Parable of the Sower, Plate I - Gerard de Jode

A detailed sixteenth-century etching by Gerard de Jode depicting the biblical parable of the sower, featuring a central allegorical figure amidst sleeping labourers.

This print by Gerard de Jode depicts the biblical narrative of the sower, specifically the moment when the enemy sows tares among the wheat while the labourers sleep. The composition is organised around a central, monstrous figure representing the adversary, who is depicted with animalistic features. This figure moves through a field where various human figures are shown in deep slumber, their bodies arranged in relaxed, recumbent poses across the foreground and middle ground.

The etching technique allows for a high degree of detail in the rendering of the figures and the surrounding environment. The lines are precise, defining the folds of the drapery and the textures of the terrain. In the background, a simple structure sits beneath a tree, providing a sense of scale and setting. The Latin inscription at the base, 'DVM DORMIVNT HOMINES INIMICVS ZIZANIA INTERSERIT TRITICO', translates to 'While men slept, the enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat', directly referencing the Gospel of Matthew.

Gerard de Jode was a significant figure in the Flemish print trade, operating as both an engraver and a publisher in Antwerp. His work often involved collaborations with other artists, and this piece reflects the stylistic conventions of the late sixteenth-century Low Countries. The print demonstrates the technical proficiency common to the period, with a focus on clear narrative storytelling through visual allegory. The contrast between the active, malevolent central figure and the passive, sleeping humans creates a clear division of action within the frame. This work is part of a series that explores the moral and theological themes prevalent in the art of the time, providing a visual interpretation of a well-known parable.