The Prodigal Son
Engraving c.1496
Size of original 248 x 190 mm, 9.75 x 7.5 inches
Dürer had only been producing engravings (as opposed to woodcuts) for less than two years when he created this showpiece of the depiction of textures, which integrates the main subject and the background in a way unprecedented in prints.
Most artists of the period illustrated the parable from Luke 15:11-32 with a scene of "riotous living", but Dürer follows the Gospel closely in illustrating the moment of decision:
And he said, a certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Two preparatory drawings survive, in London and Boston.
Click image to enlarge
Size of reproduction:
248 x 190 mm, 9.75 x 7.5 inches
Print price:
£45 €69 $75
£ and € print prices include UK VAT at 17.5%. No UK VAT on Books.
© The Trustees of the British Museum 2006 PD 1868-8-22-170 Bartsch 28
