a visit with jesus

 Bible Art

The Parable of the Talents
Artist: Willem de Porter
 c. 1655    Painting

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The Parable of the Talents is a story told by Jesus in the New Testament, specifically in Matthew 25:14-30. It teaches the importance of using one's abilities and resources wisely, as the master rewards those who invest their talents and punishes the one who does nothing with his.

The Parable of the Tares
Artist: John Everett Millais
 1865    Painting

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This oil on canvas measures 111.8 cm x 86 cm.  The painting is based on a design drawn by Millais for engraving by the Dalziel Brothers to illustrate The Parables of Our Lord, published in 1863. The book featured twenty woodcuts from designs by Millais.

In the scene depicted, a field has been planted with good seed but an enemy comes at night to sow tares, or evil seeds, among the wheat. Millais' composition and light effects convey the terror of this story. The enemy is a figure of horrifying ugliness, stooping to his evil work and surrounded by darkness. Streaks of light break the gloom of the sky and cast sinister gleams on the figure from behind, illuminating his bare feet and the arm that is sowing the tares.

The single-figure composition is unconventional for Biblical history painting. The painting was offered to the Royal Academy by Millais as his Diploma work, but was rejected. There is a smaller oil version at Buscot Park and a watercolor in the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester.