Thuiskomst van de verloren zoon 1658

"Thuiskomst van de verloren zoon" (The Return of the Prodigal Son), a 1658 etching by Jan Baptist de Wael, depicts the biblical parable of the prodigal son returning home after wasting his inheritance. The scene is set in a grand courtyard with a group of figures, including the son kneeling before his father, who embraces him. The composition is detailed, with a sense of depth and a variety of characters, including a dog and a child, that contribute to the scene's narrative. This etching, like many of de Wael's works, explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and family. The artist's careful depiction of detail and the emotional weight of the scene is characteristic of his work.