Verloren zoon als varkenshoeder met varkens bij trog 1611 - 1661

This small etching depicts the Prodigal Son as a swineherd with pigs by a trough, and was made by an anonymous artist in the Netherlands, likely during the 17th century. The print illustrates a well-known biblical parable about a young man who squanders his inheritance and falls into poverty, eventually finding himself working as a swineherd. The image is a commentary on the social structures of its time, reflecting both religious values and economic realities. The choice of subject matter suggests a culture grappling with questions of morality, redemption, and the consequences of individual choices within a hierarchical society. The story of the Prodigal Son would have resonated with a society deeply influenced by Christian teachings. Art historians rely on textual sources, like religious texts and economic data, to interpret images such as this. These help to illuminate the meaning of art as something contingent on its original social context.