|
Date: |
|
Description: | A New Testament parable illustrates the theme of Christian forgiveness by telling how a son, having squandered his wealth, returned shamefully to his family's home where his father forgave and welcomed him. The artist expressed themes of repentance, forgiveness and familial love by showing the son, dressed in rags, tenderly raising his elderly father's hand to kiss it. He dramatised the moment by focusing on just three figures, eliminating extraneous detail, and by illuminating the faces with a searching, intense chiaroscuro (extreme contrasts of light and dark). This is one of a group of Neapolitan paintings which has been associated with the elusive and controversial 'Master of the Annunciation to the Shepherds'. | Subjects: | religion (Prodigal Son) | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Artist: Master of the Annunciation to the Shepherds (Italian painter, active 17th century) Æ Previously attributed to Bassante, Bartolomeo (Italian painter, 1618-1648) Previously attributed to Fracanzano, Francesco (Italian painter, 1612-1656) | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=8885... | Go to resource |
|
|