Collections: European Art: The Sower (Le semeur)

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The Sower (Le semeur)

• Portfolio/Series: The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ (La Vie de Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ)

In this chapter of Matthew, Jesus teaches frequently with parables, or fables—a strategy that frustrates his disciples, who ask him why he uses this challenging method of preaching.

To explain his pedagogy, Jesus invokes yet another parable, the fable of the sower. The sower scatters his seeds on inhospitable terrain—rocky, thorny, and dry—seemingly to no effect. But many of the seeds do find fertile ground, producing a plentiful harvest. For Jesus, his words are like the seeds of the sower: accepted by those who are willing and ready to listen.


• Artist: James Tissot, French, 1836-1902
• Medium: Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
• Place Made: France
• Dates: 1886-1894
• Dimensions: Image: 9 3/4 x 5 3/8 in. (24.8 x 13.7 cm) Sheet: 9 3/4 x 5 3/8 in. (24.8 x 13.7 cm)
• Signature: Signed bottom right: "J.J. Tissot"
• Collections: European Art
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Robert E. Blum Gallery, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 00.159.119
• Credit Line: Purchased by public subscription
• Image: Overall, 00.159.119_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). The Sower (Le semeur), 1886-1894. Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, Image: 9 3/4 x 5 3/8 in. (24.8 x 13.7 cm) Sheet: 9 3/4 x 5 3/8 in. (24.8 x 13.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.119 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 00.159.119_PS1.jpg)