Return of the Prodigal Son
1636
Rembrandt poured his own grief and forgiveness into this final masterpiece, painted just two years before his death. The scene captures the biblical moment a ragged, barefoot son collapses into his father's arms, bathed in a warm, golden light that cuts through the deep shadows. Notice the father's hands—one strong and masculine, the other softer and more feminine—often interpreted as representing both God the Father and Mother Church. It's a deeply emotional farewell from one of history's greatest storytellers, hanging today in the Hermitage Museum.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
Location: The Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg
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