Artwork
Sleeping Peasants near Fields (Parable of the Weeds)
Sleeping Peasants near Fields (Parable of the Weeds) is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Simon de Vlieger. It dates from 1652 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
A field of wheat stretches past them, golden under a light sky.
Two men nap in the shade of a tree. One lies flat. The other slumps against the trunk. Their hats and boots sit beside them. A field of wheat stretches past them, golden under a light sky.
This is no lazy scene. It shows a Bible story. The weeds in the wheat are bad seeds sown by an enemy. The men rest while the crop grows. It’s a quiet moment with big meaning.
Look up Simon de Vlieger (Dutch, 1601–1653).
Overview
Sleeping Peasants near Fields (Parable of the Weeds) is a painting by Simon de Vlieger, a Dutch artist active in the 17th century. The work illustrates a biblical parable from the Gospel of Matthew.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts two peasants resting beside a field of wheat, referencing the Parable of the Weeds. The story tells of an enemy sowing bad seeds among good, and a farmer instructing his servants to let both grow together until harvest, symbolizing the coexistence of good and evil.
Technique & Style
The scene is characterized by a serene atmosphere, with the peasants napping in the shade of a tree and a golden wheat field stretching into the distance under a light sky. The composition conveys a sense of quiet contemplation.
Context
The painting reflects the Protestant tradition of depicting biblical scenes with didactic value, as Protestant leaders of the time emphasized strict interpretation of scripture.
History & Provenance
Simon de Vlieger, the artist, was active in the Dutch art scene during the 17th century, producing works that often engaged with biblical themes.
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…
