Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Prodigal Son

David Teniers, the Younger

Date

c. 1640

Medium

Oil on copper

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Biblical parable of the prodigal son—a youth who wastes his wealth on riotous living before returning home poor and repentant—is depicted here with wine, women, and song. He shares a rich meal with two prostitutes as street musicians perform, his cloak and sword lying nearby to suggest he’ll soon continue his partying elsewhere. The clothed monkey eating an apple—an ancient symbol of love—and dragging a ball and chain indicate the son’s bondage to vice. Frame: Gift of the Marjorie Engels Memorial Fund and the Paintings Curatorial Council Netherlands, Europe

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