Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt

Name: The Return of the Prodigal Son
Artist's Name: Rembrandt
Date: ca. 1620
Period: Baroque
Material: Oil on canvas

Rembrandt depicted biblical scenes and religious works that were quiet and introspective, unlike most other religious painting of the time that intended to glorify the church with grandiose, highly decorated paintings. In Return of the Prodigal Son, the father embraces the son in forgiveness while the son kneels in contrition. They are placed forward in the frame and highlighted against a dark backdrop. The doubtful bystanders are veiled to varying degrees in shadow and set back from the major action of the scene.