Plate (piatto): The Prodigal Son among the swine 1525

Maestro Giorgio Andreoli’s “Plate (piatto): The Prodigal Son among the Swine,” a 16th-century maiolica plate, depicts a scene from the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son. The plate, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, features a detailed depiction of the son kneeling amongst pigs, his desperation evident. The background showcases a cityscape, suggesting the setting of the story, and the use of vivid colors and meticulous details contributes to the plate's aesthetic appeal. This intricate work exemplifies the Italian Renaissance tradition of maiolica, a technique for decorating tin-glazed earthenware.