Description
Rembrandt's last word is given in his monumental painting of the Return of the Prodigal Son.
Here he interprets the Christian idea of mercy with extraordinary solemnity, as if it were his spiritual testament to the world. It goes beyond the works of all other Baroque artists in evoking religious humor and human sympathy.
The power of realism of the aged artist is not reduced, but increased with psychological perception and spiritual awareness. The lighting and the expressive color and the magical suggestion of his technique, together with a selective simplicity of setting, help us to feel the full impact of the event.
In this artwork Rembrandt demonstrates his mastery in using expressive lighting and color to brilliantly evoke in the viewer the parable's message of forgiveness.
In it you can see the father receiving his son with a tender gesture while the brother crosses his hands in judgment. The Return of the Prodigal Son is considered by many critics to be Rembrandt's greatest masterpiece and a monumental achievement in Baroque art.