The Sower (The Parables of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ) 1864

John Everett Millais created this print, “The Sower,” to illustrate one of Christ’s parables. Here, the sower casts seeds, a symbol of potential and growth, but also vulnerability. Note the birds overhead, ready to snatch the seeds, a motif echoing the challenges faced in spreading divine teachings. The act of sowing, deeply rooted in agrarian societies, evokes a sense of hope intertwined with uncertainty. This symbolism transcends time, appearing in ancient Egyptian art, where scattering seeds represented fertility and rebirth. The sower is a recurring figure that embodies humanity’s enduring connection to the earth and our eternal hope for renewal. This image serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between nurturing and the unpredictable forces that determine growth.