The Prodigal Son Leaving His Father's House, plate 1 from The Story of the Prodigal Son

David Vinckboons was born in Mechelen, in the Southern Netherlands, but like many other Protestants he moved to the North to seek religious freedom. He made only three prints himself but his designs were the basis for more prints than any other Netherlandish artist in the early seventeen century. Close to two dozen of these were etched by the influential draftsman, printmaker and publisher Claes Jansz. Visscher. The story of the Prodigal Son is recounted in Luke 15:11-32. It is about forgiveness and redemption and is one of Christ’s most famous parables. The younger son of a wealthy man asks his father for his inheritance and proceeds to quickly spend all his money on dissipated until he is hungry and penniless and returns to beg his father’s forgiveness.

Drawings in reverse of the four subjects are in the British Museum (inv. no. 1848,1125.4-1848,1125.7).




The first scene is set at the entrance to the father’s grand house. The son is seated on a handsome horse, held by an attendant, and takes his hat off to his father who has handed him bags of money. Servants and other members of the family are lined up to say good-bye to him. At the right of the composition, the son rides off under an alley of trees, still accompanied by his dog and the attendant.