Who painted The Prodigal Son Driven from the Tavern?

The Prodigal Son Driven from the Tavern was painted by Theodoor van Thulden in 1638.

Where can I see The Prodigal Son Driven from the Tavern?

The Prodigal Son Driven from the Tavern is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Prodigal Son Driven from the Tavern?

The Prodigal Son Driven from the Tavern is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Prodigal Son Driven from the Tavern

Theodoor van Thulden , 1638

The Prodigal Son Driven from the Tavern is an ink print by the Baroque artist Theodoor van Thulden. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Theodoor van Thulden’s 1638 etching, *The Prodigal Son Driven from the Tavern*, captures a moment from the biblical parable in which a young man is expelled from a drinking establishment. The print presents a crowded interior, the central figure’s contrite posture, and surrounding figures whose expressions convey anger and disapproval.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates the prodigal son’s moment of public disgrace, emphasizing themes of remorse and social censure. By selecting this well‑known narrative, Thulden underscores the moral lesson of repentance before the possibility of redemption, inviting viewers to contemplate the consequences of excess.

Technique & Style

Executed as an etching, the work relies on incised lines to render intricate details of clothing, facial expressions, and the tavern’s interior. Thulden’s handling of line weight and cross‑hatching creates a sense of depth and texture, characteristic of Flemish printmaking in the early seventeenth century.

History & Provenance

Born in 1606, Thulden was active in Antwerp, Paris, and his native ’s‑Hertogenbosch, producing altarpieces, mythological scenes, and portraits alongside his prints. The 1638 etching reflects his broader oeuvre and was likely circulated among collectors familiar with religious and moral subjects during the Dutch Golden Age.

Context

The print belongs to a period when biblical narratives were frequently employed in visual art to convey ethical teachings. In the Protestant‑leaning regions of the Low Countries, such images served both devotional and didactic purposes, reinforcing communal values through accessible, narrative imagery.