Artwork

Jesus Telling the Parable of the Father who Sends his Workers to his Vineyard

Jesus Telling the Parable of the Father who Sends his Workers to his Vineyard is an ink print by the Baroque artist Sébastien Bourdon. It dates from 1644 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1644, this copperplate engraving presents a biblical narrative in which Jesus delivers a parable concerning a vineyard and its laborers. The composition places the teacher on a rocky ledge, surrounded by attentive listeners, while a verdant landscape unfolds behind them, punctuated by gentle hills, trees and a distant structure.

Subject & Meaning

The scene illustrates the Gospel story in which Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a vineyard owner hiring workers at various hours, a lesson on divine generosity and fairness. The figures’ focused expressions convey the gravity of the teaching, emphasizing the moral instruction inherent in the parable.

Technique & Style

Executed with fine line work and cross‑hatching, the engraving achieves a subtle gradation of tone that models light and shadow across the figures and terrain. Bourdon’s handling of texture renders the rocky foreground, foliage, and clothing with a realistic attention to detail, while the overall composition maintains a balanced, calm atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Sébastien Bourdon, a French painter and engraver born in 1616, produced this work during his mid‑career, a period marked by numerous religious commissions such as his painting for Notre‑Dame’s Chapel. The print was likely circulated among devotional audiences in the mid‑17th century, reflecting the era’s demand for illustrated biblical texts.

Context

The engraving aligns with the Counter‑Reformation’s emphasis on clear, didactic religious imagery. By rendering a familiar parable in an accessible visual format, Bourdon contributed to the broader effort to educate and reinforce Catholic doctrine through art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Sébastien Bourdon

Sébastien Bourdon (French pronunciation: ; 2 February 1616 – 8 May 1671) was a French painter and engraver. His chef d'œuvre is The Crucifixion of St. Peter made for the cathedral of Notre Dame.