De verloren zoon ontvangt zijn erfdeel Possibly 1616 - 1749

This is Theodoor van Thulden’s engraving ‘The Prodigal Son Receiving his Inheritance.’ The composition is arranged in a way that leads your eye from the shadows of the lower left to the son at center. The scene is composed around a central moment of financial and familial transaction. The fine hatching technique used to create depth and shadow adds a sense of drama to a somewhat chaotic scene. The artist uses a semiotic vocabulary that speaks to themes of wealth, decadence, and moral decline. The way the son is highlighted, surrounded by figures in various states of action and repose, directs the viewer's attention. Van Thulden’s use of perspective creates a stage-like setting where moral choices are presented. Consider the cultural and philosophical discourses of the time, especially regarding wealth, morality, and family relationships. The artist uses these visual tools to challenge fixed meanings and categories, prompting us to think about the complexities inherent in acts of giving, receiving, and ultimately, squandering.