Prodigal Son c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have François Auguste Trichon’s rendering of "Prodigal Son," housed here at Harvard. It looks like an illustration. The mood is quite somber, but there's something… festive too? What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, the prodigal son story itself is ripe with those very tensions! There's repentance, waste, familial love, and potential forgiveness all swirling together. The artist really captures that push and pull, doesn't he? Editor: Absolutely! I think the lighting really contributes to that feeling as well. Curator: It does. The contrast emphasizes the drama, like a spotlight on the moral dilemmas within. It invites us to reflect on our own lives. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't fully appreciated. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It's all about finding that personal connection, isn't it?