Prodigal Son 1767

Editor: This is Simon François Ravenet the Elder's "Prodigal Son," an undated engraving. There's something so stark about the scene; you can almost feel the rough ground under his knees. What stands out to you? Curator: I see the degradation and labor visualized through the man's bare feet and simple garment. How does this portrayal of the Prodigal Son, surrounded by livestock, speak to the social context of labor and repentance? The material reality of his situation is key. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. I was focused on the religious aspect of the story. Curator: But isn’t the religious aspect intertwined with the realities of poverty and work during that time? Considering the means of production of this print, how might that inform its distribution and consumption among different social classes? Editor: It makes me think about who this image was made *for*. Thanks, I've got a lot to consider! Curator: Indeed! It's all about the labor of its creation and the context it reflects.