The Return of the Prodigal Son
1548
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Dirck Volckertz Coornhert
Dirck Volckertz Coornhert (1559–1559) was an artist.
See the richer artist page1548
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Return of the Prodigal Son is a 1548 ink by Dirck Volckertz Coornhert, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This woodcut shows a crowded, emotional scene with five figures in a dimly lit room. One man kneels, hugging another who stands holding a staff, while others look on. Outside the window, a small town and people go about their day. The lines are sharp but rough, with heavy shading to show folds in clothing and faces. The artist used woodcut, a technique where images are carved into wood and inked. This made prints cheaper and easier to share, which was common in the 1500s. Look up woodcut to see how this method works.
Dirck Volckertz Coornhert (1559–1559) was an artist.
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