The Prodigal Son Leaves Home

Art Historical Context

In the etching *The Prodigal Son Home* (ca. 1636), French artists Abraham Bosse and I Leblond capture a pivotal moment from the biblical Parable of the Prodig Son (Luke 15:11-32). Here, the wayward son departs his family home, accompanied by men, women, and horses, embarking on his ill-fated journey of extravagance and eventual redemption. This collaborative print, measuring 10 1/2 × 13 1/8 inches, belongs to a series that vividly illustrates the moral tale, making complex religious narratives accessible to 17th-century audiences through affordable prints. Bosse, a master etcher renowned for ...

About the Artist

Abraham Bosse|Jean I Leblond · 1602–1676

Abraham Bosse (1604–1676) was a French printmaker and theorist whose approximately 1,600 etchings provide an unparalleled visual record of 17th-century French life. Born to Huguenot parents in Tours, he trained in Paris under Melchior Tavernier and became a devoted follower of Jacques Callot's technical innovations. Bosse's meticulous etchings depicted subjects ranging from daily life and fashion ...