Return of the Prodigal Son
1635
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Jacques Callot
Jacques Callot was a baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine.
See the richer artist page1635
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Return of the Prodigal Son is a 1635 ink by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a busy scene with a group of people gathered in front of a grand building. Some are dressed in fancy clothes, others in simple robes, and a few look like guards. A dog sits near the bottom right, while a man in the center holds a staff and seems to be helping someone up. The building behind them has tall windows and a clock, and a few figures stand on a balcony above. The text below reads like a short poem in French, hinting at forgiveness and mercy. The mix of rich and poor people suggests this isn’t just a regular gathering—it might be a story about second chances. Look up etching to see how artists like Callot made these detailed prints.
Jacques Callot was a baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine.
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