The parable of the Good Shepherd

Details

Dutch School, 17th Century
The parable of the Good Shepherd
inscribed Soo wie niet ingaet door die .../deur in scaepstal der scaepen/maer klimt elders binnen/dat zyn dieven en moordenaers Joannes.10.Cap:/ANNO DOMINI.81 on the scroll lower left
oil on panel
74.3 x 96.2 cm

Provenance

Anon. Sale, Sotheby's Amsterdam, 12 November 1996, lot 100, ill.

Special notice

Christie's charge a buyer's premium of 20% (VAT inclusive) for this lot.

Sale room notice

Please note that the entry should read: Flemish School, 1581

Lot Essay

The anonymous artist has used the Parable of the Good Shepherd (John, X:1-21) as a means of expressing a Protestant critique of Catholicism. The painting shows Christ, as the Good Shepherd, standing in the centre, with the Good on His right, listening carefully to His sermon, while the Bad are on His left, turning their backs to Him. Here monks, priests, bishops and the Pope are depicted. In the group to Christ's right, the man standing in the centre wearing an orange coat and hat shows a striking similarity to Dirck Volkertsz. Coornhert (1522-1590). The latter was famous for his 'liberal' ideas and anti-clericalism.

We are grateful to C. Scholten of the RKD for her help in cataloguing this lot.

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