The Prodigal Son Leaves Home 1631 - 1641

This engraving, "The Prodigal Son Leaves Home," was created by an anonymous artist. The piece visualizes the biblical parable through the lens of 17th-century social dynamics. Here, a young man receives his inheritance, surrounded by figures who embody the temptations that await him. The composition is split between the wealth and comfort he is leaving behind, and the road ahead, a path into the unknown, already burdened with his belongings. This image speaks to the economic shifts of the time, where traditional family structures were being challenged by new forms of wealth and social mobility. The setting, an opulent interior leading to a vast landscape, suggests the allure of worldly pleasures versus the security of home. Understanding this work requires delving into religious texts, economic histories of 17th century Europe, and the social role of familial expectations. Art like this reflects, and also comments on, the structures of its time.