The Tares (The Parables of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ)

Art Historical Context

In the Victorian era, Sir John Everett Millais, leading figure of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood collaborated with the master engravers Dalziel Brothers to create *The Tares*, a wood engraving proof from 1864. This intimate image (5½ x 4⅜ inches) is part of the acclaimed series *The Parables Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ*, illustrating biblical stories with Millais's characteristic precision and naturalistic detail. The Dalziels' wood engraving technique—using end-grain boxwood for exceptionally fine lines—captured Millais's designs with remarkable fidelity, making high-quality reproductions accessible for books and prints. Depicting the Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:24–30), where an enemy sows weeds among wheat, the proof features men, animals, and snakes, evoking themes of good versus evil and patient judgment. Wood engravings like this were pivotal in 19th-century publishing, bridging fine art and mass media, and showcasing Pre-Raphaelite ideals of truth to nature amid spiritual narratives. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1921, this proof at The Metropolitan Museum of Art highlights the era's fusion of faith, artistry, and innovation, inviting visitors to ponder its moral depth through intricate Victorian craftsmanship.

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