De verloren zoon ontvangt zijn erfenis c. 1540 - 1550

Cornelis Anthonisz. created this print called "The Prodigal Son Receives his Inheritance," around 1530-1550 using woodcut and watercolor. Looking at this image, we see a young man receiving money from his father, watched by onlookers in a grand interior. This scene comes from the biblical parable of the prodigal son, who wastes his inheritance and eventually returns home repentant. In the 16th century Netherlands, images like these would have been used to teach moral lessons. They also reflect the economic realities of a society where wealth and inheritance played a central role. The print's setting in an affluent home reminds us of the growing merchant class in Dutch cities at the time. The tale of the prodigal son served as both a religious and a social commentary, cautioning against excess and promoting thrift. To truly understand this print, we must consider the cultural values and social structures of the time. Studying religious texts, economic records, and other visual sources helps us understand the complex layers of meaning embedded in this artwork.