Den fortabte søns hjemkomst 1810 - 1873

This is Wilhelm Marstrand's "The Return of the Prodigal Son," an undated drawing held at the SMK. The work is defined by its stark contrasts and linear precision achieved through ink on paper. The composition draws us immediately to the center, where the bowed figure of the son meets his father’s embrace. Note how Marstrand employs line to construct the characters, with denser marks suggesting shadow and depth, particularly in the father’s robes and the son’s emaciated form. The architectural setting, rendered with meticulous detail, serves not just as background but reinforces a sense of structure and order. The artist uses the visual language of the prodigal son story to explore themes of repentance and forgiveness. The very structure of the drawing—the son’s posture, the father’s forward lean—communicates a powerful narrative about societal structures. The work operates within a cultural framework of religious and moral codes, challenging viewers to consider the implications of redemption. Observe how the linear quality of the drawing gives shape not only to the figures but also to the underlying themes of moral reckoning and social reintegration. It’s an artwork where form and content are inextricably linked.