De verloren zoon als zwijnenhoeder 18th century

Giovanni Volpato rendered this print, "The Prodigal Son as a Swineherd," sometime in the late 18th century. Our eyes are drawn to the central figure, the son, amidst swine, symbols of degradation in biblical context. The tale, resonating since antiquity, appears in various guises. One sees echoes of it in classical tragedies where pride leads to downfall, or in the numerous artistic renderings of fallen saints and repentant sinners. The association of humans with swine is particularly poignant. Think of Circe transforming Odysseus' men into swine, stripping them of their humanity. Here, Volpato's son is reduced, humbled. It's a raw emotional portrayal of despair, a stark reminder of the consequences of straying from societal and familial norms. The image lingers, a testament to the human psyche’s enduring fascination with themes of transgression, penance, and eventual redemption, perpetually retold.