1636
1662
Above are two paintings by the same artist, Rembrandt, of the same theme, The Return of the Prodigal Son, but painted in two different seasons of Rembrandt’s life (1636 and 1662). These paintings are based on Luke 15 when a “prodigal” son returns to his loving father. They represent two different mediums of art; the first a simple, colorless etching; the second a subdued color painting, rich in detail, light and shadows. Click on the above images for a larger view of the paintings.
I encourage you to meditate on them and really look at the details. Compare and contrast the two. How do they feel? What’s different? What stands out? Which one do you prefer and why? Why did Rembrandt revisit this theme? What are they saying to you? Why did he make the changes? What was he trying to communicate about us and God in the scenes? How is God speaking to you personally through these paintings? Which characters in the drama do you seem to relate with? The father? The returning son? The son who never left? Someone else?
Feel free to share your heart and thoughts so we can be encouraged, learn, and be shaped by one another.
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