The Prodigal Son

Französische Malerei 1873–1880, waarschijnlijk ca. 1879

A nearly nude man with a pale, peach complexion sits on the ground facing our right in profile, leaning back on a mound with his legs extended in front of him and hands gathered at his chest under his bowed head in this wide, horizontal painting. The man's body almost spans the width of the composition. He wears only a light, slate-blue loincloth wound around his hips. He has a straight nose, a brown beard, and his hair falls past his ears. Diffused light creates a subtle shadow on his face and the backs of his bent knees. The landscape behind him is painted with sage-green and peanut-brown hills. Several darker brown hogs nuzzle in a mud puddle and stand in the meadow beyond the man. The horizon almost reaches the top edge of the composition, and the narrow band of sky is pale blue, nearly white.
Kunstenaar
Französische Malerei 1873–1880
Datering
waarschijnlijk ca. 1879
Soort
Schilderij
Techniek
oil on linen
Afmetingen
106,5 × 146,7 cm
Collectie
National Gallery of Art, Washington
Licentie
Publiek domein, CC0

Beeldbeschrijving

A nearly nude man with a pale, peach complexion sits on the ground facing our right in profile, leaning back on a mound with his legs extended in front of him and hands gathered at his chest under his bowed head in this wide, horizontal painting. The man's body almost spans the width of the composition. He wears only a light, slate-blue loincloth wound around his hips. He has a straight nose, a brown beard, and his hair falls past his ears. Diffused light creates a subtle shadow on his face and the backs of his bent knees. The landscape behind him is painted with sage-green and peanut-brown hills. Several darker brown hogs nuzzle in a mud puddle and stand in the meadow beyond the man. The horizon almost reaches the top edge of the composition, and the narrow band of sky is pale blue, nearly white.

Französische Malerei 1873–1880