Artwork
The Prodigal Son squandering his Inheritance
The Prodigal Son squandering his Inheritance is an oil painting by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Four women are gathered around a modestly set table; one, dressed in a vivid orange garment, holds a lute while the others observe.
Created in 1660 by the Spanish Baroque artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, this oil painting portrays a domestic interior illuminated by dramatic light and shadow. Four women are gathered around a modestly set table; one, dressed in a vivid orange garment, holds a lute while the others observe. The composition is rendered in a dark, indistinct background that accentuates the figures and their interaction.
Subject & Meaning
Although titled after the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son, the scene does not depict the wandering youth but rather a moment of indulgence, suggested by the lute and the presence of food. The gathering of women, their attentive gazes, and the musical instrument imply a celebration of earthly pleasures, offering a visual commentary on the theme of wastefulness inherent in the story.
Technique & Style
Murillo employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated faces and garments with enveloping shadows to give the figures a three‑dimensional presence. The soft modeling of flesh and the delicate handling of the orange dress demonstrate his characteristic gentle realism. The oil medium allows for subtle gradations of tone, while the blurred background recedes, focusing attention on the central group.
History & Provenance
The work entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display. It belongs to a series of Murillo’s religious genre paintings that blend sacred narratives with scenes of everyday life, reflecting the artist’s broader interest in portraying contemporary figures with a realistic, compassionate eye.
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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.
