The Return of the Prodigal Son, plate 4 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).

In the final scene the Prodigal returns home. He is greeted by his father who embraces him and has the servants bring fine clothes to replace his rags. In the courtyard in the middle ground, two servants are about to kill a calf to serve at the banquet to celebrate his return. On the balcony is the later scene of the banquet itself.