The Prodigal Son c. 16th century

Curator: This is Jörg Breu the Younger's "The Prodigal Son", a work of about 25 by 18 centimeters held here at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark black and white immediately gives it such a weighty feel. Editor: Indeed, and the composition, while balanced, feels very staged—each figure carefully positioned, almost as if performing a morality play. Curator: The symbols of excess—the laden table, the fine garments—speak to the temporary pleasures the son indulges in before his downfall. The tree above, with its partially visible face, might represent divine judgment. Editor: Or perhaps a broader commentary on fleeting joy and inevitable reckoning, a memento mori made particularly poignant. The detail in the clothing and objects suggests a real engagement with worldly goods. Curator: The stark rendering really does emphasize the didactic nature of the tale, stripped down to its core message of repentance and redemption. Editor: Precisely, a visual sermon. I'm struck by how resonant these themes remain.