1.
one of the parables that Jesus shared with his disciples on the subject of repentance and forgiveness
a 2,000-year-old story so compelling that artists keep returning to it again and again

2.
Parable of the Prodigal Son in painting

3.
the Prodigal Son begins with a very familiar situation ...

4.
The Story Begins
“… A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods
that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.”
Luke 15:11

5.
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
The Prodigal Son receiving his Inheritance. Le Fils Prodigue reçoit son héritage
1660-1665
Museo del Prado, Madrid
the young man receiving his part of the inheritance …
the prodigal son's brother and sister observe their brother's acts sadly
their contained expressions contrast with the energy of the young man putting the money in the bag

6.
The Departure of The Prodigal Son
“And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country …”
Luke 15: 11-13

7.
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
The Prodigal Son taking leave of his Home. Le départ du fils prodigue.
1660-1665
Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid
the well-dressed prodigal waves a feathered hat to his parents and siblings
the inclusion of the mother and sister, not mencioned in the biblical narrative, adds to the emotion of the scene

8.
James Tissot
Departure of the prodigal son. Le départ de l'enfant prodigue.
1863
Petit Palais, Paris
the Departure in a decoration and costumes to the Carpaccio ...
the prodigal son, kisses his mother's hand while his father blesses him ...
a barque is waiting to take him to the boat .... boat at quay and full of prostitutes
the monkey that clings to the pilaster might well symbolize the devil who looks
the empty bottle that floats, the vanity of distant parties

9.
The Prodigal Son in a Far Country
“… and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”
Luke 15: 11-13

10.
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn
The Prodigal Son in the Brothel or The Prodigal Son in the Tavern or Rembrandt and Saskia in the parable of
the prodigal son.
Le Couple heureux ou Le Fils prodigue à la taverne, ou Homme dilapidant son heritage.
1635
Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden
Rembrandt and an ironic and reflective gaze at his life ...
the artist and his beloved wife into the parable:
Saskia sits on the lap of a foppishly dressed Rembrandt, who gaily holds up a flagon of ale as he twists to offer
a silly grin out of the picture

11.
Frans Francken II
The Prodigal Son with the Courtesans. Le fils prodigue avec les courtisanes.
-
Private collection
in the midst of prostitutes feasting and dissipating his patrimony …
(...an opportunity to paint drunkenness and girls)

12.
Frans Pourbus the Elder, Frans Pourbus l'Ancien
The Prodigal Son Among Courtesans. Fils prodigue parmi les courtisanes.
Museum Mayer van den Bergh, Antwerp
a merry company ...
the prodigal son among the courtesans
the fashionable clothing, such as high hats, puffy pants and ruffled collars
a black page and a jester

13.
The Prodigal Son Hits an All-time Low
“And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went
and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain
have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”
Luke 15:14-16
The Prodigal Son Comes to His Senses
“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to
spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned
against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired
servants.”
Luke 15:17-19

14.
John Macallan Swan
The Prodigal son. Le fils prodigue.
1888
Tate Britain, London
the despair ...
what a far cry this is from the proud, noble, well-dressed son of Murillo’s painting!
or the pleasure-seeking reveler of Rembrandt’s!
where can the prodigal turn to now?

15.
The Prodigal Son Returns
“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had
compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned
against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his
servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And
bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry For this my son was dead, and is alive again;
he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
Luke 15:20-24

16.
Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn
The Return of the Prodigal Son. Le Retour du fils prodigue.
1668
The Hermitage, St. Petersburg
a solemn calm ...
the son ruined and repellent, with his bald head and the appearance of an outcast
the father dressed in rich garments receives the long-lost son with the utmost fatherly love
the astonished witnesses look on in silence

17.
Pompeo Batoni
The Return of the Prodigal Son. Le Retour du Fils Prodigue.
1773
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
from the shadows emerges
the father, almost royal in his crimson velvet cloak and closed by a jewel set with a red precious stone
the richness of his clothing contrasts with
the nudity of the repentant son,
kneeling, his eyes lowered, his hands in prayer, he implores and seems to cry for the gravity of the faults
committed
… what dignity in this work !!!

18.
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
The Return of the Prodigal Son. Le Retour du Fils Prodigue.
1667-1670
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
a faithful interpretation of the biblical text ...
an allegory of repentance and divine forgiveness ...
the penitent son welcomed home by his forgiving father
the rich garments and ring signify the errant son's restoration to his former position in the family
the fatted calf being led to the slaughter for the celebratory banquet

19.
Guercino, Le Guerchin
Return of the Prodigal Son. Le retour du fils prodigue.
1619
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
the dynamics of the outstretched and grasping hands ...
the son is removing the rags of the swineherd,
the father places a hand on his shoulder and takes a clean shirt from the other,
foppishly dressed young man who is holding new clothes over his outstretched arm and new shoes in his hand

20.
Giorgio de Chirico
The Prodigal Son. Le retour de l'enfant prodigue.
1922
Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Milan
a dark sky contrasts against the figures of a man in an coat and a mannequin ......
the father figure embraces the mannequin, yet the 'son' remains firm and unyielding to his father's affection
there is no warmth in father-son embrace, only a melting shadow of life
the outcome of the biblical version of The Prodigal Son is not repeated in the painting, the son does not return
home to his father's home and forgiveness ...

21.
olga_oes
Parable of the Prodigal Son in painting
La parabole du fils prodigue dans la peinture
images and text credit www.
Music The Piano Guys Story of My Life (One Direction - PianoCello Cover)
created olga.e.
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