The Seed Received among the Thorns

This is one of a series of four prints portraying the biblical parable of the sower, made in Antwerp (in present-day Belgium) at the end of the 1500s. The parable compares types of soil to people in the world: one hardened; one fickle; one distracted by things of the world; and one with an open heart, ready to accept God. The third sower (here, portrayed as a pilgrim) distractedly throws seeds among thorns. He is surrounded by two female personifications—Cares of the World, and Avarice (extreme greed for money)—indicating the source of his distraction from religious piety. This print relates to a preparatory drawing in the museum’s collection (2012.4).

A horizontally oriented engraving in black ink depicts three figures in draping robes within a landscape. On the left, a woman stands with her back turned, holding small bags. Beside her, a bearded man in a tall hat points toward a woman on the right who holds an orb. They stand under a large tree beside a grain field. In the upper right, a castle sits on a hill. Latin text appears below.

The Seed Received among the Thorns

1574

Philip Galle, Gerard P. van Groningen

(Flemish, 1537–1612), (Netherlandish, active late 1500s)

Netherlands

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork

Artwork Page for The Seed Received among the Thorns

Details / Information for The Seed Received among the Thorns