Artwork
Return of the Prodigal Son
Return of the Prodigal Son is a print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1636, this etching by Rembrandt van Rijn depicts a poignant reunion between a repentant figure and his elder counterpart. The composition is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains a representative example of the Dutch master’s printmaking during his mature period.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a kneeling man, cloaked and humbled, being embraced by a standing figure dressed in a loose robe and head covering. Two additional onlookers occupy the doorway arches, suggesting a communal witness to the moment of forgiveness and familial reconciliation that echoes the biblical parable of the prodigal son.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employs pronounced chiaroscuro, using deep shadows to isolate the central figures against an uneven stone floor. The etching’s lines are vigorous and slightly irregular, imparting a sense of immediacy, while the expressive faces convey intense emotion within the limited tonal range of the medium.
History & Provenance
The print entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it has been displayed as part of the institution’s holdings of 17th‑century Dutch prints. Its provenance prior to acquisition is documented through museum records, confirming its attribution to Rembrandt’s workshop.
Context
Produced during a prolific phase of Rembrandt’s career, the etching reflects his interest in narrative biblical scenes rendered with dramatic lighting. The subject aligns with contemporary religious themes, while the crowded composition and emotional intensity illustrate the artist’s shift toward more personal, humanistic interpretations of scriptural stories.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple
The Prodigal Son Received by His Father
Maternal Precaution
Sacrifice of Isaac
Christ and the Woman of Samaria Among Ruins
Saint Charles Borromeo Distributing Communion to the Victims of the Plague of 1576 in Milan
Kneeling Woman Instructing a Child
Saint Luke
Two Old Men in a Landscape