Shop art print and framed art Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt

The Return of the Prodigal Son (in Dutch, "Terugkeer van de Verloren Zoon") is a painting by Rembrandt, painted in 1668. This large oil on canvas (262 × 205 centimetres) has been in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg since 1766. The painting depicts a scene from the parable of the prodigal son, quoted in the New Testament Gospel according to Luke 15:11-32: the son, who has gone away and squandered his fortune, returns to his father's home and is welcomed by his compassionate father. The precise passage to which the work refers is verses 20 to 24: " The painting is on display at the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, in room 254, which is dedicated exclusively to Rembrandt." The painting shows two figures in the light, in the centre, slightly to the left, and three in the background to the right. A sixth figure, female and almost invisible, is located in the upper left-hand corner. The central figure, contrary to what the title of the painting suggests, is the father, bearded, blind (or partially sighted) and standing, wearing a red cloak. Both his hands are on his son's upper back. The latter, on his knees, his feet worn and ragged, his head bald, has his face hidden against his father. On the right, a tall figure, almost a look-alike of the father, stands up straight. Behind him, at the back of the stage, a curious young face appears in the shadows. Lastly, halfway between the other two secondary figures, a moustachioed man in a hat is seated and watching the [...]

 

This artwork is a painting from the classical period. It belongs to the baroque style.

 

« Return of the Prodigal Son » is kept at State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

 

Find the full description of Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt on Wikipedia.