Artwork
The Prodigal Son
The Prodigal Son is a print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1497 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albrecht Dürer's engraving, The Prodigal Son, dates to around 1497. It is a notable work by a prominent figure in the German Renaissance.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving illustrates a scene from the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son, showing the son in a state of destitution, kneeling in a courtyard surrounded by pigs. His worn face and tattered clothing convey his desperation.
Technique & Style
The work showcases Dürer's skill in engraving, with detailed renderings of the protagonist and his surroundings. The background features tall buildings and distant figures, executed with a softer focus.
Context
The Prodigal Son is part of Dürer's broader oeuvre, which includes engravings and altarpieces that demonstrate his artistic range and technical proficiency.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
![Madonna and Child [obverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--madonna-and-child-obverse--d7b8ebf05d22ebe5-w320.webp)
![Lot and His Daughters [reverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--lot-and-his-daughters-reverse--b4ebf9b282faa17a-w320.webp)
