Parable of the Lost Piece of Silver

As the words of Christ indicate, the parable is always interpreted in the various exegeses of the different religious groups as the joy of repentance, with the lamp symbolizing the Word of God. This interpretation applies in every way to Schalcken’s portrayal, but it is also evident that the master deliberately sought a text in Holy Scripture that would allow him to put his exceptional technique to good use.

Around 1680–85 Schalcken painted Parable of the Lost Piece of Silver , in which he adhered closely to the text of Luke 15:8–10: “Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

This oil on canvas painting measures 39.5 x 49.3 cm and is housed in The Leiden Collection,ew York.