The Prodigal Son Bids Farewell to his Father

Abraham Bosse

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of an interior scene featuring a group of elegantly dressed individuals engaging in conversation. An additional figure is visible in the background. The image depicts a detailed and ornately bordered tableau with four figures gathered around a seated person. Another figure in the background is carrying a large object on their back and is entering from an exterior setting. A pastoral landscape with trees, buildings, and animal figures can be seen through an open architectural space framed by columns. The figures are clothed in period attire, suggestive of a historical or allegorical theme. The intricate detail of the lines suggests a careful etching or engraving process. The image includes elaborate decoration within the main scene and in the border, highlighting architectural and natural elements with a rich texture and depth.