The Punished Son 1778

"The Punished Son" (1778) by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, depicts a poignant domestic scene. The painting shows a family gathered around a sick or dying father, with a son kneeling in remorse at his bedside. The father's ailing state serves as a reminder of the son's wrongdoing, adding emotional weight to the scene. The dramatic composition, detailed expressions, and interplay of light and shadow evoke a sense of sorrow and reconciliation, illustrating the artist's mastery of sentimental genre painting.