Artifact World Gallery
Get the iOS app

Artwork

Le départ de l'enfant prodigue (1ère planche, en hauteur) (The Departure of the Prodigal Son) (first plate, vertical)

Jean-Louis Forain , 1912

Le départ de l'enfant prodigue (1ère planche, en hauteur) (The Departure of the Prodigal Son) (first plate, vertical), by Jean-Louis Forain, ink, 1912
Le départ de l'enfant prodigue (1ère planche, en hauteur) (The Departure of the Prodigal Son) (first plate, vertical), by Jean-Louis Forain, ink, 1912

Le départ de l'enfant prodigue (1ère planche, en hauteur) (The Departure of the Prodigal Son) (first plate, vertical) is an ink print by Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:"forain" lower right margin, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "(EE2080)" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "Depart de l'Enfant Prodigue" verso, lower right sheet, graphite, unknown hand.
Markings
Marked:"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d).

About this work

Overview

Le départ de l'enfant prodigue is an etching and drypoint print created by Jean-Louis Forain around 1912. The work is one of a series of prints Forain made using various techniques.

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates the biblical parable of the prodigal son, depicting three figures walking together. The central figure holds the hands of the other two, who wear long coats, one with a hat pulled low and another carrying a small bag.

Technique & Style

Forain employed loose, expressive lines in etching and drypoint to convey a sense of movement and urgency. The rough, sketchy quality of the background, with its faint lines suggesting trees or buildings, adds to the overall feeling of haste.

At the Theatre-Libre: Antoine in "L'inquiétude" (Au Théatre-Libre: Antoine dans "L'inquiétude")
At the Theatre-Libre: Antoine in "L'inquiétude" (Au Théatre-Libre: Antoine dans "L'inquiétude"), Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jean-Louis Forain

Artist

Jean-Louis Forain

Jean-Louis Forain (French pronunciation:; 23 October 1852 – 11 July 1931) was a French Impressionist painter and printmaker, working in media including oils, watercolour, pastel, etching and lithograph.

MORE BY JEAN-LOUIS FORAIN

VISUALLY SIMILAR

Similarity 100 percent
This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of National Gallery of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Le départ de l'enfant prodigue (1ère planche, en hauteur) (The Departure of the Prodigal Son) (first plate, vertical)?

Le départ de l'enfant prodigue (1ère planche, en hauteur) (The Departure of the Prodigal Son) (first plate, vertical) was painted by Jean-Louis Forain in 1912.

Where can I see Le départ de l'enfant prodigue (1ère planche, en hauteur) (The Departure of the Prodigal Son) (first plate, vertical)?

Le départ de l'enfant prodigue (1ère planche, en hauteur) (The Departure of the Prodigal Son) (first plate, vertical) is held by National Gallery of Art.

Can I buy a print of Le départ de l'enfant prodigue (1ère planche, en hauteur) (The Departure of the Prodigal Son) (first plate, vertical)?

Museum-quality prints of Le départ de l'enfant prodigue (1ère planche, en hauteur) (The Departure of the Prodigal Son) (first plate, vertical) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.