Parable of the Sower
1574
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1574
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
Parable of the Sower is a 1574 by Philip Galle, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This set of four black-and-white prints shows dramatic scenes with naked or half-dressed people in forests and fields. Some figures are fighting or carrying crosses, while others stand calmly holding objects like globes or books. Trees, buildings, and hills fill the background, and the lines are sharp and detailed, like engravings. The prints tell a story through symbols—like the globe and the cross—without showing real people or places. These kinds of images were meant to teach lessons, not just look pretty. Next, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see this work in person.
