The Parable of the Vineyard before 1585

Curator: This is Hans Collaert the Elder's "The Parable of the Vineyard," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's striking how the artist uses dynamic diagonals in the vineyard workers' postures to convey brutality. The scale seems to heighten the emotional impact. Curator: Indeed. Collaert, through this print, visualizes the socio-political tensions inherent in the parable itself—the struggle between ownership, labor, and the violence enacted upon those who challenge established power structures. Editor: The composition is quite clever; it guides our eye from the murdered servant in the foreground towards the other acts of violence taking place around the tower in the background. Curator: I see the tower as a symbol of entrenched authority. The act of defending it, by any means necessary, speaks to a broader historical context of land ownership and class conflict. Editor: Agreed. Analyzing the interplay of line and form reinforces how the artist emphasizes the narrative's inherent aggression and moral decay. Curator: Understanding the historical underpinnings allows us to reflect on contemporary struggles. Editor: A truly insightful work; focusing on Collaert’s formal choices has deepened my appreciation.