The Labourers in the Vineyard (The Parables of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ)

Art Historical Context

This 1864 wood engraving captures a pivotal moment from the biblical parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard, one of several illustrations Sir John Everett Millais created for the volume *The Parables of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ*. Millais, a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, brought his characteristic attention to expressive figures and narrative detail to the scene, even as the design was translated into print form by the skilled Dalziel Brothers. Wood engraving was a dominant medium for book illustration during the Victorian era, prized for its ability to produce crisp, durable images that could be printed alongside text in large editions. As a proof impression, this work offers a rare glimpse into the process between artist and engraver, revealing the fine lines and tonal contrasts that made such prints both affordable and visually compelling for a broad audience. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of drawings and prints, the piece reflects the 19th-century desire to bring sacred stories to life through accessible art. Its modest scale—roughly the size of a postcard—belies the emotional weight of the parable it depicts, inviting viewers to reflect on themes of fairness and grace.

About the Artist

Dalziel Brothers|Sir John Everett Millais (British|British) · 1839 |1823 –1893 |1906

British, active 1839–93|British, Wooler, Northumberland 1823–1906 Herne Bay, Kent