The Prodigal Son (c. 1496)

Dated c. 1496, "The Prodigal Son" is an artwork by Albrecht Dürer. About the period around c. 1496: Printing with movable type spread across Europe in these decades, and woodcuts and engravings began to circulate images far more widely than hand-painted work ever could. In East Asia, the Ming dynasty in China and the Muromachi period in Japan continued their own long traditions of ink painting and calligraphy. It is listed in the Religion collection. The image is in portrait orientation. Religion, a short history: Religious painting is among the largest bodies of art ever made, from altarpieces, icons, and illuminated manuscripts to devotional prints. Buddhist painting, Hindu devotional imagery, and Islamic calligraphy and ornament each have conventions of their own.

Everything for "The Prodigal Son" arrives digitally: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI. Once payment is confirmed, an email brings the download link, and from there you decide how to print it, whether at home, at a print shop, or through an online service. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Matching the frame to the image proportions avoids cropping. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing.

German, 1471–1528

If you like the visual language of Albrecht Dürer, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.