Parabel van de zaaier 1534 - 1535

This is 'Parable of the Sower', an engraving made by Georg Pencz in the mid-16th century. Here we see a sower casting seeds, some falling for the birds to snatch, others onto barren ground. This image is directly inspired by the New Testament parable. The motif of scattering seeds is ancient, predating Christianity. It’s a primal act of hope and faith in nature's cycle. We find echoes of it in earlier agrarian societies, linked to fertility rites. Yet, Pencz infuses it with Christian symbolism, transforming it into a lesson of spiritual receptivity. Think of Botticelli’s 'Primavera' where Flora scatters flowers, a parallel to Pencz's sower. The birds, symbols of immediate gratification, devour the seeds, a powerful reminder of life's ephemeral nature. The image is not just a depiction but an allegory, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This emblem returns time and again, each time adapted. Thus, the parable continues, cycling through history, proving its enduring relevance.