Return of the Prodigal Son

The "Return of the Prodigal Son" by Rembrandt van Rijn, dating to 1636, is an exemplary work of Dutch graphic art from the period 1601 to 1650. Classified as a print, this piece was executed using the etching technique, a medium Rijn mastered early in his prolific career.

Unlike his much larger, later oil painting on the same theme, this 1636 print offers an intimate and concentrated study of the Biblical parable from the Gospel of Luke (Chapter 15). The composition focuses tightly on the moment the destitute son, having squandered his inheritance, falls into his father’s compassionate embrace. The scene is rendered with sparse, yet masterful, lines typical of 17th-century etching. Rijn uses the needle and acid process to create a dramatic contrast between light and shadow, highlighting the emotional intensity of the reunion. The father's imposing figure, dressed in heavy robes, and the son's ragged, kneeling condition are clearly defined through the careful control of line weight and subtle crosshatching.

This work reflects the deep engagement with religious narrative and human emotion characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age. As one of the preeminent Dutch artists of the time, Rijn frequently explored the themes of repentance and forgiveness in his graphic output, often using these subjects to study emotional states and physical gesture. This particular piece showcases why the artist's prints were highly valued both during the 17th century and centuries later, influencing generations of graphic artists.

This impression of the Return of the Prodigal Son is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., where it serves as a crucial example of the graphic output from the period 1601 to 1650. Today, many of Rijn's influential prints are available through public domain collections, ensuring the enduring accessibility of his powerful interpretations of scripture.