Artwork
The Prodigal Son in a House of Ill-Repute
The Prodigal Son in a House of Ill-Repute is an ink print by the Baroque artist Abraham Bosse. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1639, this copperplate engraving by French printmaker Abraham Bosse presents a crowded interior that re‑imagines the biblical tale of the prodigal son within a setting reminiscent of a 17th‑century brothel. The composition is densely populated, the lighting subdued, and the figures are engaged in a tense tableau that draws the viewer’s attention to a central woman holding a child.
Subject & Meaning
Bosse adapts the familiar parable to a contemporary moralizing scene, juxtaposing the prodigal’s waywardness with the licentious atmosphere of a house of ill‑repute. By placing the biblical narrative amid everyday vice, the work underscores themes of repentance and societal corruption, inviting contemplation of moral decay in the viewer’s own environment.
Technique & Style
The engraving relies on delicate incised lines and cross‑hatching to model space, giving the room a convincing three‑dimensionality despite the flat medium. Fine shading creates depth on walls, furniture, and figures, while the inclusion of French captioning below the image adds a textual layer that reinforces the moral message.
History & Provenance
Abraham Bosse, noted for his etchings and watercolors, frequently explored genre scenes and didactic subjects in his prints.
Abraham Bosse, noted for his etchings and watercolors, frequently explored genre scenes and didactic subjects in his prints. This particular work exemplifies his engagement with narrative illustration during the early reign of Louis XIII. Though specific ownership records are sparse, the print has been catalogued among Bosse’s 1630s output and remains a reference point for studies of French moral engraving.
Artist & collection
Artist
Abraham Bosse (c. 1604 – 14 February 1676) was a French artist, mainly as a printmaker in etching, but also in watercolour.
The Prodigal Son: Riotous Living
Childhood
The Prodigal Son: The Prodigal Bidding His Parents Farewell
The Four Seasons: Springtime
The Prodigal Son: The Return of the Prodigal
The Prodigal Son's Father Orders the Best Robe and the Slaughter of the Fatted Calf
The Four Seasons: Winter
The Prodigal Son: Dressing for the Feast
Death
The Prodigal Son
The Feast Celebrating the Return of the Prodigal Son