The Prodigal Son, after Rembrandt

29th August 1942: “Busy on the Prodigal Son transcription on old table top. After Rembrandt’s picture in the Hermitage. To be called “Meditation on a theme of Rembrandt”.

Dad was obviously very struck on looking at a reproduction of this painting. In the original, there are three grave-looking figures on the right giving the appearance of a ritual scene of forgiveness. It was a late painting by Rembrandt when he probably was viewing his own material descent and possibly hoping for a reunion with his God.

For Dad, the shape of the table-top that he painted on must have suggested a sort of mandala shape to highlight the reunion of the two figures. This ‘meditation’ is painted very loosely and evocatively. The concentration of detail is round the …

read more..

Dad was obviously very struck on looking at a reproduction of this painting. In the original, there are three grave-looking figures on the right giving the appearance of a ritual scene of forgiveness. It was a late painting by Rembrandt when he probably was viewing his own material descent and possibly hoping for a reunion with his God.

For Dad, the shape of the table-top that he painted on must have suggested a sort of mandala shape to highlight the reunion of the two figures. This ‘meditation’ is painted very loosely and evocatively. The concentration of detail is round the hands of the forgiving father and the penitent feet of the erring son. This is no drama, but a moment of spirituality.

View Richard's other two paintings on this theme: Return of the Prodigal Son (c1958), The Return of the Prodigal Son (1959)

Richard did three paintings based on the prodigal son theme:

• The Prodigal Son, after Rembrandt (1942)
• The Return of the Prodigal Son (1958)
• The Return of the Prodigal Son (1959)