The Return of the Prodigal Son is a 1640 ink by Guercino, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows two men embracing tightly. One has long, curly hair and a beard, while the other’s hair is shorter. They’re both shirtless, with loose, flowing drapery wrapped around their waists and legs. The lines are quick and sketchy, capturing movement and emotion more than detail. Notice how the artist used overlapping lines to build up shadows and texture—this is called *cross-hatching*. It’s a way to add depth without heavy shading. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how other artists used this technique.
Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (8 February 1591 – 22 December 1666), better known as (il) Guercino (Italian pronunciation: ), was an Italian Baroque painter and draftsman from Cento in the Emilia region, who was active in Rome and Bologna.
See the richer artist page
