The Prodigal Son

The Prodigal Son is a profound engraving created by Albrecht Dürer between approximately 1492 and 1502. This exceptional early example of German Renaissance printmaking showcases Dürer’s pioneering technical mastery of the burin. The artist meticulously utilized the medium to achieve a wide range of tonal values and detailed textures, effectively transforming the classification of prints from mere reproduction into a high art form.

This influential work illustrates the biblical parable (Luke 15:11-32), focusing intently on the moment of the prodigal son's deepest despair. The composition dramatically depicts the young man kneeling among the swine, consumed by regret over his wasted inheritance and realizing the gravity of his transgression. The detailed environment, which includes careful rendering of the animals and architecture, along with the realistic figure study, demonstrates Dürer’s interest in humanistic depiction and keen natural observation, a signature characteristic of his work from Nuremberg.

As a readily reproducible print, the image resonated widely across Renaissance Germany, where Dürer played a foundational role in establishing the graphic arts tradition. The successful distribution of such prints ensured that complex moral lessons and religious narratives reached a broad audience rapidly. This significant original impression of the engraving is held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Owing to the age and widespread availability of these powerful religious works, copies of many of the master's prints are accessible through public domain collections, further securing Dürer’s enduring legacy.