Philip Galle (1537-1612)

The Story of the Prodigal Son – The Prodigal Son Leaving His Father’s House

Netherlands, 1562

Engraving

This is the first in a series of six engravings based on the story of the Prodigal Son from the New Testament (Luke 15). It tells a moral tale of adolescent rebellion in which the son is shown leaving home against his father’s wishes; his energetic horse reflecting his rider’s eagerness for freedom and adventure. This print reproduces a drawing by Maarten van Heemskerck; his attention to anatomical detail is drawn from classical sculpture.

Purchased 1964 (No. 64.7/1)

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WORKS ON PAPER

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