The Prodigal Son, 4th plate (L'enfant prodigue) 

Alphonse Legros' "The Prodigal Son" is a powerful etching depicting the biblical parable of the prodigal son, a story of repentance and forgiveness. Legros, known for his stark realism and skilled use of etching, focuses on the moment of the prodigal son's return, his head bowed in shame as he kneels before his father. The background features a large tree, symbolizing the father's protective presence, while a distant landscape suggests the son's journey home. The use of subtle lines and tonal contrasts adds depth and emotion to this poignant scene.