Artwork
Sleeping Peasants near Fields (Parable of the Weeds)
Sleeping Peasants near Fields (Parable of the Weeds) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Simon de Vlieger. It dates from 1651 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The composition features a tree that dominates the landscape, rendered with careful attention to naturalistic detail and subtle tonal modulation.
Sleeping Peasants near Fields (Parable of the Weeds) is an oil painting executed on canvas in 1651. The work belongs to the Dutch school and was created in the Netherlands, where the artist Simon de Vlieger employed oil paint to achieve a richly layered surface. The composition features a tree that dominates the landscape, rendered with careful attention to naturalistic detail and subtle tonal modulation.
The canvas support allows for fine brushwork that defines the figures of the sleeping peasants, while the handling of light emphasizes atmospheric depth characteristic of mid‑17th‑century Dutch landscape painting.
History & Provenance
Simon de Vlieger created the oil painting Sleeping Peasants near Fields (Parable of the Weeds) in 1651. The work was executed in the Netherlands on canvas and measures 90.4 cm in height by 130.4 cm in width. Prior to its acquisition by the Cleveland Museum of Art, the painting was owned by Frederick Mont. The museum currently holds the piece in its collection, cataloging it under the accession number 1975.76.
The work Sleeping Peasants near Fields (Parable of the Weeds) is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio. According to the documented provenance, the painting was originally owned by collector Frederick Mont before entering the museum’s holdings. No specific accession or inventory number is recorded in the sources consulted, and the available documentation does not list any exhibition history for this piece as of the latest available records.
Overview
Simon de Vlieger, an artist predominantly recognized for his marine paintings, completed Sleeping Peasants near Fields (Parable of the Weeds) in 1651. This oil painting represents a landscape from the Dutch Golden Age. It is housed within the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, showcasing a quieter aspect of the artist's oeuvre compared to his more typical maritime scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork presents a tranquil countryside vista, centered around a prominent tree. Beneath its branches, two individuals are shown sleeping on the grass beside a small stream. The scene extends into the distance with a path lined by additional trees, leading to expansive fields and a faint horizon.
The alternative title suggests a connection to the biblical Parable of the Weeds, imbuing the restful scene with potential allegorical depth.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Simon de Vlieger (c. 1601 – buried 13 March 1653) was a Dutch painter, draughtsman and designer of tapestries, etchings, stained glass windows. While he is mainly known for his marine paintings, he also painted beach…
