Return of the Prodigal Son, from The History of the Prodigal Son 1535 - 1545

"Return of the Prodigal Son" is a 16th-century engraving by German artist Sebald Beham. This print, dating from 1535-1545, is a small-scale artwork that depicts a scene from the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son. Beham's print focuses on the moment of the son’s return, as he kneels before his father who embraces him with open arms. The scene is set in a rural landscape, with a walled city in the background, emphasizing the son’s journey back home. This artwork, with its detailed rendering of figures and landscape, is a classic example of Northern Renaissance printmaking.