Parable of the Talents (The Worthless Servant Cast into the Outer Darkness)
1578
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1578
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Parable of the Talents (The Worthless Servant Cast into the Outer Darkness) is a 1578 ink by Léonard Gaultier, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a busy scene with two groups of people. In the foreground, three men in heavy clothes are carrying a fourth man who’s slumped over, his arms and legs dragging. Behind them, a balcony overlooks a street where more people gather—some look up, others chat or walk. The buildings are tall and plain, with small windows and simple roofs. A curved arch frames the scene on the left, adding a sense of depth. The man being carried is likely the "worthless servant" from the Bible story, punished for not using his talents wisely. His slumped posture makes the scene feel dramatic and tense. Want to see more? Check out the technique: engraving.
Léonard Gaultier, or, as he sometimes signed himself, Galter, a French engraver, was born at Mainz about 1561, and died in Paris in 1641.
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