The Parable of the Prodigal Son: The Departure No. 1 1882

James Tissot created this print, "The Parable of the Prodigal Son: The Departure No. 1," using etching and drypoint. Tissot, a French painter who spent much of his career in Britain, had a keen eye for social dynamics. Here, the biblical story of the prodigal son is set within a bourgeois domestic interior. The scene is heavy with unspoken tensions. The composition hints at the rigid gender roles and social expectations of the time. Notice how the women are confined to the domestic sphere, knitting and looking out the window, while the men engage in financial matters. The son's departure isn't just physical; it's a rebellion against the stifling constraints of his family and class. The emotional weight of the scene is palpable, a mix of longing, regret, and perhaps a touch of hope for a different future. Tissot invites us to reflect on the personal and societal forces that shape our choices.