Verhaal van de verloren zoon 1622 - 1665

This is ‘Verhaal van de verloren zoon’, or ‘Story of the prodigal son,’ an undated engraving by Cornelis van Dalen the First, held at the Rijksmuseum. Set against the backdrop of 17th-century Dutch society, this print unpacks themes of morality, wealth, and familial duty through a biblical lens. Dalen uses the narrative of the prodigal son to explore the tensions between individual desire and societal expectations. Look closely and you'll see how the artist portrays the son's journey from opulence to destitution. This resonates with a time of growing economic disparities, where the pursuit of wealth often clashed with traditional values. The artist seems to ask if redemption is possible after one has strayed so far from their roots. The emotional core of the piece lies in the son's eventual humility and reconciliation with his father. It makes me wonder, does this reconciliation truly erase the past, or does it simply restore social order?