Scene
A kneeling son returns home to his father in a wretched state after wasting his inheritance. The father welcomes him with a tender gesture, forgiving him as his own son.
The Return of the Prodigal Son
Rembrandt
1636
Figures
The father and son are central, with the father’s hands suggesting both mothering and fathering. The older brother stands at the right, his hands crossed in judgment.
Symbolism
The father’s hands may symbolize dual roles of nurturing and authority. The older brother’s crossed hands reflect his objection to the father’s compassion for the sinful son.
Craft
The father’s hands are painted with distinct differences: the left appears larger and more masculine on the son’s shoulder, while the right is softer and more receptive.
Impact
The painting is described by art historian Kenneth Clark as possibly the greatest picture ever painted. It is a renowned work completed near the artist’s death.
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Craft
