The Return of the Prodigal Son
c. 1890 Musée Gustave Moreau
About this artwork
This work is an oil painting by Gustave Moreau, depicting a theatrical interpretation of the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son set within a dreamlike, expansive landscape. It is currently housed in the Musée Gustave Moreau, which preserves the artist's studio and many of his finished works.
Did you know?
Gustave Moreau was a leading figure in the French Symbolist movement, known for his highly detailed, jewel-like surfaces and mythological subjects. His depiction of the Prodigal Son avoids the traditional focus on the emotional reunion, instead turning the scene into an elaborate, almost ceremonial procession that emphasizes the exotic and fantastical nature of his imagination.
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The Return of the Prodigal Son
Gustave Moreau, c. 1890
