Zoon op de rug van de ezel, de vader te voet 1570 - 1612

"Zoon op de rug van de ezel, de vader te voet" (Son on the Donkey's Back, the Father on Foot), is an etching by Karel van Mallery, a prominent Dutch artist of the early 17th century. The artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicts a scene of a father and son on a donkey, with another figure in the background. The intricate details of the figures and the donkey, coupled with the inclusion of Latin inscriptions, suggest a potential religious theme, possibly referencing the parable of the prodigal son. The artwork is a testament to van Mallery's skill in capturing human figures in a detailed and expressive manner, with a focus on realism and narrative elements.