Gelijkenis van de talenten 1767 - 1780

Bernhard Schreuder created this drawing, "Gelijkenis van de talenten," using pen and brown ink with brush in grey around the mid to late 18th century. The work illustrates the Parable of the Talents, emphasizing themes of accountability and judgement. This biblical story, often interpreted as an economic lesson, speaks to the distribution of wealth and the expectation of profit. However, in Schreuder’s time, such wealth was connected to colonialism and questions of moral accountability. I'm interested in how Schreuder portrays the figures in this drawing and how they are positioned in relation to one another. The master at his desk is the picture of bourgeois domesticity. He sits comfortably in his home, seemingly detached from those who serve him. The other figures are in the light of the doorway, ready to be sent out to perform their duties. This physical separation highlights the social and economic disparities of the time. This piece invites reflection on how societal expectations and systems of power impact personal and collective destinies.