De thuiskomst van de verloren zoon 1670 - 1719

Arnold Houbraken created "The Return of the Prodigal Son" using etching techniques. The composition is structured around the contrast between light and shadow, drawing our eye to the emotional core of the scene: the son's return. The intricate linework creates a dense visual texture, evoking a sense of the story's moral weight. Houbraken uses the formal elements of line and space to explore themes of repentance and forgiveness. The clustered figures, rendered with detailed hatching, suggest the complexity of human relationships and the social dimensions of redemption. Notice how the architectural backdrop, sketched with rough lines, frames the scene. This functions not merely as setting, but as a structural element that reinforces the narrative's focus on the themes of home and homecoming. The etching invites us to consider how its formal qualities intersect with its religious subject matter.