The Return of the Prodigal Son

is one of the most celebrated and emotionally powerful works by the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn, created towards the end of his life, likely between 1667 and 1669.

Composition and Figures

The painting depicts the poignant moment from the Biblical parable of the prodigal son, as described in Luke 15:11-32. The scene focuses on the reunion between the prodigal son and his father. The son, dressed in tattered garments, kneels before his father in a state of repentance and desperation. He is barefoot, with a shaved head, and wears his father's dagger, symbolizing the enduring connection with his family despite his estrangement. The father, clothed in rich, tasseled robes of red, embraces his son with a tender gesture. His hands are particularly noteworthy; the left hand is larger and more masculine, placed on the son's shoulder, while the right hand is softer and more feminine, reflecting both paternal and maternal love. On the right side of the painting stands the older son, dressed in finery, who looks down on the scene with contempt and disapproval. He is depicted wringing his hands in displeasure, expressing his sense of injustice and resentment towards the father's mercy towards his younger brother.

Background and Additional Figures

The background of the painting is dark, which enhances the emotional intensity of the scene and draws the viewer's attention to the main characters. There are additional figures in the background, whose identities have been subject to interpretation. These include a woman, possibly the mother, and a seated man who may be an advisor or a tax collector. Other interpretations suggest these figures could be servants.

Artistic and Emotional Significance

Rembrandt's mastery in this painting is evident in his evocation of spirituality and the emotional depth of the parable. The work is characterized by its solemnity and the powerful expression of human sympathy and religious mood. Art historian Kenneth Clark has praised it as "the greatest picture ever painted," and Rembrandt scholar Rosenberg describes it as Rembrandt's "spiritual testament to the world." The painting emphasizes the themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the unconditional love of the father, contrasting sharply with the older son's sense of justice and resentment. This contrast highlights the broader message of the parable about the nature of mercy and the healing power of forgiveness.

Historical Context

The Return of the Prodigal Son is among Rembrandt's final works, created during a period marked by personal and financial struggles. Despite these challenges, the painting demonstrates Rembrandt's undiminished power of realism and his heightened psychological insight and spiritual awareness.