Attributed to Isaac Claesz. van Swanenburg: The Parable of the Tares (1590-1610)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

A painting attributed to the Dutch artist Isaac Claesz. van Swanenburg (1537-1614). This painting shows a parable of Jesus which appears in Matthew 13:24-30. According to the tale a farmer had sown seed in his field but the the next day his servants came to him that tares had been sown among the wheat. The servants wanted to to pull up the tares but the farmer warned them in so doing they would root out the wheat as well. The farmer told his servants that they should let both grow together until the harvest. The parable is usually taken to refer to the separation of the unsaved sinners from the saved believers during the Last Judgment.

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

(Matthew 13:24-13:30)
Painting from 1590-1610.