Gelijkenis van de werkers in de wijngaard 1583

This engraving by Abraham de Bruyn illustrates the parable of the workers in the vineyard. The central figure, the landowner, disburses coins, echoing ancient depictions of generosity and justice. Notice the motif of the outstretched hand, a gesture that transcends time. In antiquity, it symbolized offering and exchange, seen in Roman depictions of emperors distributing largesse. Yet, here, it's imbued with a deeper moral weight. The parable challenges our notions of fairness, stirring subconscious anxieties about deservingness. The cyclical nature of this image is striking. The act of giving, the expectation of reward—these are eternal themes. De Bruyn's work thus becomes a stage, where the past echoes in the present, reminding us of the enduring power of visual symbols to tap into our deepest collective memories.