The Return of the Prodigal Son
1773 | Pompeo Batoni
The biblical parable of the Prodigal Son tells of God’s mercy to a repentant sinner. Batoni depicts the return of the poor and naked son to the arms of his father, who lovingly accepts him, laying his mantle protectively around the son’s shoulders. The painter thus makes particularly clear the meaning of this parable: that the one who repents is loved more. The picture was purchased for the imperial picture gallery directly from the artist right after the painting was finished.
The biblical parable of the Prodigal Son tells of God’s mercy to a repentant sinner. Batoni depicts the return of the poor and naked son to the arms of his father, who lovingly accepts him, laying his mantle protectively around the son’s shoulders. The painter thus makes particularly clear the meaning of this parable: that the one who repents is loved more. The picture was purchased for the imperial picture gallery directly from the artist right after the painting was finished.
Artist:
Pompeo Batoni (1708 Lucca - 1797 Rom) DNB
Time:
1773
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Italian, Roman
Material/technology:
Canvas
Dimensions:
138,4 cm x 100,4 cm x 3 cm
Framed: 154 cm x 115,5 cm x 9 cm
Signed
Inscribed on the bottom left of the bowl: P. BATONI PINXIT ROMAE 1773
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 148
Provenance
1773 acquired from the artist
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