De verloren zoon als bedelaar weggestuurd 1592

This is Jacob Matham’s, De verloren zoon als bedelaar weggestuurd, an engraving made around the turn of the 17th century. The dramatic interplay of light and shadow guides our eyes through this complex composition. Notice how the figures are tightly packed, yet distinctly rendered through Matham’s intricate use of line. The stark contrasts not only sculpt form but also heighten the emotional tension of the scene. The artist employs a semiotic structure that pits the disheveled, rejected figure of the prodigal son against the collective judgment of the villagers, who are positioned to destabilize his identity. Observe the way the spatial arrangement, combined with the play of light, challenges fixed notions of moral virtue. Ultimately, Matham's work pushes us to recognize that art is not simply a reflection of moral principles but a complex site where values are constantly contested and redefined.