The Prodigal Son
1882
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1882
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This black-and-white sketch shows a tired man sitting on a hillside, his head tilted back as if lost in thought. A cow stands nearby, grazing calmly. The background has a small village with a church steeple and trees, all drawn with loose, sketchy lines. The artist used shading to show light and shadow, giving the scene depth without color. This style makes the man’s face and body look three-dimensional. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and dark for drama.
