De hereniging en vergiffenis van de verloren zoon c. 1540 - 1550

Cornelis Anthonisz. created this print titled 'The Reunion and Forgiveness of the Prodigal Son' sometime in the 16th century. The scene is composed with a striking use of linear perspective, drawing the eye into the depicted space, enhanced by the checkerboard floor. The artist uses color to distinguish between the figures, but it is the structural arrangement that carries the narrative. Anthonisz. divides the composition into distinct zones, each containing a mini-scene that contributes to the story's unfolding. Note how the embrace of the father and son forms the central event, framed by onlookers who react in various ways. The rigid lines of the architectural background contrast with the fluid gestures of the figures, creating a visual tension that mirrors the emotional weight of the subject. Ultimately, the print invites us to reflect on the formal choices Anthonisz. made in conveying this timeless parable.