Parable of the Sower of Tares
- Artist: Domenico Fetti
- Date: 1620 - 1621
- Medium: oil on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the “Parable of the Sower of Tares” by Domenico Fetti, painted in 1620‑1621 with oil on panel. The work is part of a series commissioned by the Gonzaga family of Mantua, who were keen to illustrate the moral lessons of the Gospels through visual storytelling. In this scene, several peasants lie asleep while the Devil, hidden among them, clandestinely scatters tares—poisonous weeds—into the furrows. The act of sowing tares represents the subtle spread of heresy within the church, a warning that bad influences can infiltrate even the most fertile grounds of faith.
Fetti’s composition is dramatic: the muted earth tones of the field contrast sharply with the darker, almost imperceptible brushwork of the tares, drawing the eye to the hidden danger. The sleeping peasants, rendered in soft, almost dreamlike strokes, symbolize the unsuspecting congregation. The Devil’s presence is subtle, yet the sense of menace is palpable—Fetti hints at the invisible yet destructive nature of false doctrine.
Overall, the painting balances realism with allegory, inviting viewers to consider how easily corruption can infiltrate a community. It remains a compelling reminder of vigilance in faith and the ongoing battle between truth and deception.
See it in person
Parable of the Sower of Tares hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
