"The Prodigal Son Driven Out by Harlots" from a set of six of The Parable of the Prodigal Son
early 17th century
Medium
Silk, wool (22 warps per inch, 10 per cm.)
Dimensions
H. 20 x W. 20 inches (50.8 x 50.8 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Tapestries
Culture
British, probably London
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1954
Accession Number
54.7.6
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite tapestry, "The Prodigal Son Out by Harlots,"ails from an anonymous British workshop, likely in London, dating to the early 17th century. forms one panel in a rare set of six illustrating the Parable of the Prodigal from the Gospel of Luke (15:11-32). Here, the wayward young man, having squandered his inheritance on riotous living, faces rejection by the harlots he once reveled with—accompanied by men, women, dogs, blooming flowers that add vivid life to the moral tale of folly and redemption. Crafted from luxurious silk and wool with a fine weave of 22 warps per inch (10 per cm...