The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
- Date
- c. 1752
- Object type
- painting
- Technique
- oil
- Material
- canvas
- Dimensions
- 83,6 x 67,4 cm
- Acquisition date
- 1792
- Location
- The Palace on the Isle - Picture Gallery, ground floor
- Marks and inscriptions
- red number 1827 of the Stanisław August collection, bottom right, repeated on bottom left
- Place of Origin
- Germany (Europe)
- Owner
- The Royal Łazienki
- Museum number
- ŁKr 833
Matthew 20: 1–16.
In the catalogues of the Stanisław August collection, the painting is recorded as being by Dietrich. ... Paintings imitating Rembrandt’s manner constitute a large part of Dietrich’s eclectic oeuvre. However, the Łazienki composition is not modelled on Rembrandt’s depiction of the subject of 1637, known from painted and graphic versions ... , nor from any of the rather few representations of this subject by Rembrandt’s pupils or followers. It is a pastiche—a highly valued genre among 18th century connoisseurs because it required special skills, artistic erudition and craftsmanship. Dietrich’s ability to imitate the manner of various schools of art was considered masterly. ...
The catalogue of the Stanisław August collection lists more than 20 paintings by Dietrich (landscapes, religious paintings, likenesses of people). Such a large number of the painter’s works within one collection proves the popularity of his eclectic style at that time. … The first round of negotiations concerning the acquisition of Dietrich’s painting was held at the turn of 1767/68, through the intermediary of the painter, Joseph Roos, who informed Bacciarelli about the possibility of buying four landscapes … . [See D. Juszczak, H. Małachowicz, The Stanisław August Collection of Paintings at the Royal Łazienki. Catalogue, Royal Łazienki Museum, Warsaw 2016, no. 35, pp. 151–153.]
