Artwork
The Prodigal Son Feeding Swine
The Prodigal Son Feeding Swine is an oil painting by the Spanish Baroque Tenebrist artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
The Prodigal Son Feeding Swine (1660) is a Spanish Baroque painting by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, depicting a pivotal moment from the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son. Executed in oil paint, the work showcases Murillo's characteristic tenebrist style.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates the son's lowest point, feeding swine, as described in the parable (Luke 15:11-32). The scene conveys his desperation and longing, emphasizing the narrative's themes of repentance and redemption through the subject's expressive posture and facial expression.
Technique & Style
Murillo utilizes strong chiaroscuro, contrasting light and dark, to highlight the son's distress and create depth. This tenebrist approach, characteristic of Spanish Baroque, intensifies the emotional drama of the scene.
History & Provenance
Created in 1660, the painting is now part of the National Gallery of Ireland's collection.
Context
As a religious work by a prominent Spanish Baroque artist, it reflects the period's emphasis on emotionally charged, visually dramatic depictions of biblical themes, catering to both the religious and the emerging bourgeois audiences.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of this work are not highlighted, it contributes to Murillo's reputation for poignant religious and genre scenes, influencing subsequent artistic interpretations of biblical narratives.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo ( mure-IL-oh, m(y)uu-REE-oh, Spanish: ; late December 1617, baptised 1 January 1618 – 3 April 1682) was a Spanish Baroque painter.
