The Prodigal Son (The Parables of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ) 1864

Sir John Everett Millais's 1864 illustration, "The Prodigal Son (The Parables of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ)", depicts a powerful scene of forgiveness and reconciliation. The image captures the moment when a repentant prodigal son kneels before his father, who embraces him with open arms. The composition draws the viewer's eye towards the emotional intensity of the embrace, highlighting the depth of the father's love and the son's remorse. The surrounding landscape, featuring sheep and a distant building, adds a sense of context and emphasizes the transformative nature of the encounter, a key theme in the parable of the prodigal son. The detailed pen-and-ink drawing showcases Millais's masterful draftsmanship and his ability to convey emotion through precise line work. The work demonstrates his skill in capturing the essence of a biblical narrative with a sense of realism and empathy.