1601-1616

The Prodigal Son Squandering his Inheritance

Dutch, 1571 - 1631

A tale of forgiveness and repentance, the story of the prodigal son is one of the most popular parables in the art of this period. Printmakers frequently divided it into four scenes: a father divides his property between his two sons; the younger son squanders his inheritance on food, drink, and prostitutes; reduced to poverty, he tends pigs for a living; and on the verge of starvation, he returns home and begs his father’s forgiveness, which is granted, much to the chagrin of the elder son. The father explains that the prodigal son’s return is akin to the dead coming to life again, or the lost being found.