The Prodigal Son

The Return of the Prodigal Son was painted by Rembrandt Harmenszo van Rijn in Amsterdam in 1662. The painting is an illustration of a parable from the Bible, the parable of The Prodigal Son. The parable says a son was granted his inheritance by his father but he went out and spent it. The son was so ashamed at what he had done that he decided not to go home and confess to his father. Eventually the son returns fearful that his father would never forgive him for what he did. To his chagrin, when he gets home his father instantly forgave him for his mistakes because he didn’t care what his son did, he only cared that his son was home. While The Return of the Prodigal Son was being painted, the Netherlands signed a treaty of alliance with France and Dutch gold diggers killed over 400 people from the Nayar warrior caste in India (timelines.ws). These events helped shape the theme of this piece of art.
The Return of the Prodigal Son is a depiction of the parable of the The Prodigal Son. The Prodigal Son symbolizes the fortune seeking Dutchmen killing the Indians for money (timeline.ws). They take someone else’s fortune to benefit themselves only. The detail of each person in the painting tells a little bit about them, especially the son. The son is bent down at his father’s knees. His clothes are pale compared to the red colors on the other clothes in the painting. The son is also only wearing one worn out shoe and the other shoe has fallen off. There is a slight profile of the son’s face that looks as though he is relieving all of his worries and fears that his father wouldn’t forgive him. He also looks relieved to be home again with his family where he belongs. The father appears to be content as well as reassured that his son is back safe. He is looking down at his son consoling him, letting him know that everything would be alright. The reunion of the father and the prodigal son is a direct correlation of the Netherlands signing a treaty with the French (timeline.ws). They are both embracing each other for who they are and accepting their flaws. The story behind The Return of the Prodigal Son reflects the series of historical events the Dutch were involved in.

"Timeline Netherlands." Timelines of History, Today in History, World History. May 9, 2011. http://timelines.ws/countries/NETHERLANDS.HTML.

"Rembrandt Biography and Chronology." Rembrandt Van Rijn: Life and Work. May 9, 2011. http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/rembrandt_life_and_work.htm.

Norwich, John Julius. "Rembrandt Harmensz Can Rijn." Oxford Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Arts. April 18, 2001. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1990. 378.