The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
1585
Artist, Flemish, Flemish, 1560 - 1618
Publisher, Netherlandish, 1550 - 1600

Artwork overview
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Medium
engraving on laid paper
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Credit Line
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Dimensions
sheet (trimmed to platemark): 15.5 × 20.9 cm (6 1/8 × 8 1/4 in.)
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Accession
1964.8.368
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Catalogue Raisonné
New Hollstein, no. 234, State only
Artwork history & notes
Provenance
(William H. Schab, New York); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], 1962; gift to NGA, 1964.
Associated Names
Exhibition History
2019
Through a Glass Darkly: Allegory & Faith in Netherlandish Prints from Lucas van Leyden to Rembrandt, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 2019, no. 65, repro.
Bibliography
1949
Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts ca. 1400-1700. 8 vols. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1954-1868. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger.
1993
The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. (The Collaert Dynasty, Ann Diels and Marjolein Leesburg, authors). Ouderkerk aan den Ijssel: Sound & Vision Publishers, 2005: Part II, no. 234, state only; (Hans Bol, Ursula Mielke, author). Ouderkerk aan den Ijssel: Sound & Vision Publishers, 2015: Part I, no. 80.
Inscriptions
lower center, in plate, in image: .1.5.8.5.; lower right, in plate, in image: .H. Bol. Inu A.C. fec Sadl .exc; below image, in plate: Frugifera eximijs offertur laudibus arbor / Quae tempestivos dat fructus grata colono. / Vindice sed merito sterilis ruit icta bipenni. / Saepe tamen precibus differtur poena malorum. Luc. 13. (The fruitful tree which graciously confers seasonable fruits on the husbandman, is shown high praise. But the barren one, having justly been struck by the vengeful ax, falls to ruin. Yet often is the punishment of evildoers deferred through prayers of supplication. Luke 13. [translation from Melion, Walter S. and James Clifton_Through a Glass Darkly: Allegory & Faith in Nethlerlandish Prints from Lucas van Leyden to Rembrandt._Atlanta: Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, 2019, p.152.])
Wikidata ID
Q65506466