Why it matters
Rembrandt cast himself and his wife Saskia in the parable of the prodigal son, shown in a brothel or tavern. The theme was popular in the Protestant world for its moral lesson.
Did you know?
- It is signed 'REMBRANDT F.'.
- The left side of the canvas was cut, perhaps by Rembrandt, to focus on the couple.
- Rembrandt painted The Return of the Prodigal Son in 1669.
Based on the Wikipedia article The Prodigal Son in the Brothel (CC BY-SA 4.0).
