The Prodigal Son
The prodigal son has been an artistic subject for hundreds of years. Take a look at some of the artworks while you think about the story. The high quality photos may take a moment to load.
John Macallan Swan, The Prodigal Son
John Macallan Swan, oil on canvas, 1888. It can be seen at the Tate in Britain.
What part of the story are we in? What does the son's body language say? Where is the son looking? What does the pig's body language say? What is the overall emotion in this painting.
Is the painting mostly light or mostly dark? Where is the light source in this painting? Why does the son have his back to the light?
Salvator Rosa - The Prodigal Son
Salvator Rosa, oil on canvas, around 1650. It can be seen at the Hermitage Museum.
Compare this painting to the previous artwork. How is the son's body language different? Where is he looking? What emotion do you feel from this painting?
Where is the light in this painting? What is in the light? Where is the darkest part of the painting? What is in the dark?
How does the message of this artist differ from the last one?
Rembrandt - Prodigal Son
Rembrandt, pen and brush, between 1626-1669. It can be seen at the Teryler's Museum.
Rembrandt - Prodigal Son
Rembrandt, oil on canvas, around 1668. It can be seen at the Hermitage Museum.
This is the same artist as the previous sketch, but now we see a final oil work. What is the same and what is different about the father and son's body language? How is the son's clothing different from the father's. Why does the son have one shoe off? What is in the dark and what is in the light? What emotions do you feel from this painting?