The Parable of the [Ten] Virgins (The Parables of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ)

Art Historical Context

This wood engraving from 1864 captures the biblical Parable of the Ten Virgins, a story from the Gospel of Matthew about spiritual readiness and wisdom. Designed by Sir John Everett Millais, one of the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and masterfully cut by the Dalziel Brothers, the print was created as part of an ambitious illustrated volume titled *The Parables of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ*. Millais’s characteristically detailed and expressive style brings the scene to life, highlighting the contrast between the prepared and unprepared women as they await the bridegroom’s arrival. Wood engraving was a leading reproductive technique of the Victorian era, prized for its ability to render fine lines and dramatic contrasts in mass-produced books. This proof impression, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, reveals the meticulous craftsmanship involved: the Dalziel Brothers translated Millais’s drawing into a durable boxwood block, allowing the image to reach wide audiences through affordable publications. The focus on female figures underscores the parable’s emphasis on vigilance and moral agency. Today the work offers a window into 19th-century religious illustration and the fruitful collaboration between fine artists and skilled engravers. Its intimate scale invites quiet reflection on both the ancient story and the era’s fascination with detailed, morally resonant imagery.

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