In this month’s first Home Lesson your family will learn more about the parable of the Prodigal Son, a popular subject for artists.  I’ll post a few pieces this week, but the most well known is this one by Rembrandt.

Consider Rembrandt’s beautiful use of contrasts to highlight the realities of the story of the Prodigal Son.  The first thing I notice is the younger son.  Clothed in rags, with shoes that won’t even stay on his feet (and what could’ve happened to his hair?), his poverty stands in high contrast to the rich red robes and elaborate sleeves of his father’s garments.  Yet in spite of this wretchedness (and the implied lifestyle that caused it), he is embraced by the father whose hands seemed imposed on his shoulders as if in a tender blessing.  What a perfect analogy for our place before the Heavenly Father; in spite of our spiritual poverty, He joyfully welcomes us back!

Also interesting is the way Rembrandt highlighted the difference in reactions between the father and the older son.   He effectively turns the spotlight on the younger son’s reaction by making him one of the three characters who are not completely in the shadows.  His carefully folded hands, arched eyebrow, aloof posture, and position to the side (instead of participating in the embrace) stand in contrast to his father’s solicitude.

There is a large reproduction of this painting in the chapel, by the confessional.  Take time to see it and talk about the details with your children sometime this week after you’ve done the Home Lesson on the Prodigal Son.  You’ll see lots of detail – especially in the shadows – that is easy to miss on a screen sized version.