The Prodigal Son, c.1496 by Albrecht Durer
Paper Art Print - 17894-DUA
Location: National Gallery of Art, Washington, USAOriginal Size: 24.3 x 18.7 cm
Giclée Paper Print | $47.70 USD
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By using the red up or down arrows, you have the option to proportionally increase or decrease the printed area in inches as per your preference.
*Max printing size: 23.6 x 18.2 in
*Max framing size: Long side up to 28"
"The Prodigal Son" will be custom-printed for your order using the latest giclée printing technology. This technique ensures that the Paper Art Print captures an exceptional level of detail, showcasing vibrant and vivid colors with remarkable clarity.
Our choice of a non-woven art paper guarantees premium quality. This paper is free of optical brighteners and has a delicate watercolor texture that adds an artistic flair to art reproductions. Combined with a matte coating, it creates stunning art prints with vibrant colors, rich blacks, and exceptional detail reproduction.
Additional blank areas are included on all sides of the printed area, providing versatility for various purposes.
Our printing process utilizes cutting-edge technology and employs the Giclée printmaking method, ensuring exceptional quality. The colors undergo independent verification, guaranteeing a lifespan of over 100 years.
Please note that there are postal restrictions limiting the size of framed prints to a maximum of 28 inches along the longest side of the painting. If you desire a larger art print, we recommend utilizing the services of your local framing studio.
*It is important to mention that the framing option is unavailable for certain paintings, such as those with oval or round shapes.
If you select a frameless art print of "The Prodigal Son" by Durer, it will be prepared for shipment within 48 hours. However, if you prefer a framed artwork, the printing and framing process will typically require approximately 7-8 days before it is ready to be shipped.
We provide complimentary delivery for up to two unframed (rolled-up) art prints in a single order. Our standard delivery is free and typically takes 10-14 working days to arrive.
For faster shipping, we also offer express DHL shipping, which usually takes 2-4 working days. The cost of express shipping is determined by the weight and volume of the shipment, as well as the delivery destination.
Once you have added the paintings to your shopping cart, you can use the "Shipping estimates" tool to obtain information about available transport services and their respective prices.
All unframed art prints are delivered rolled up in secure postal tubes, ensuring their protection during transportation. Framed art prints, on the other hand, are shipped in cardboard packaging with additional corner protectors for added safety.
Painting Information
Dürer's "The Prodigal Son" is a masterful etching that pulls you into the gritty reality of medieval rural life. The scene unfolds in a cramped farmyard, surrounded by a jumble of half-timbered houses with steep, angular roofs. Their chaotic arrangement creates a sense of claustrophobia, as if the prodigal son has nowhere left to run.
The protagonist kneels amidst a herd of pigs - fat, bristly creatures rendered with startling realism. Dürer's skill with the burin is on full display here, each curl of hair and fold of skin meticulously carved into the copper plate. The son's face is turned away, but his body language speaks volumes - shoulders slumped, hands clasped in desperate prayer. There's a raw, visceral quality to the scene that grabs you by the collar.
What's striking is how Dürer roots this biblical tale firmly in the Germany of his day. The farmyard could be any village in late 15th century Europe, complete with rickety carts and chickens pecking at the dirt. It's a far cry from the idealized landscapes of Italian Renaissance painting. Dürer gives us something earthier, more immediate.
The composition is a swirl of activity, with the eye drawn inexorably to the central figure. Dark shadows pool in the nooks and crannies of the buildings, creating a stark contrast with the paler tones of the foreground. It's a technical tour de force, showcasing Dürer's mastery of light and shade in the challenging medium of etching.
There's a haunting, personal quality to this work. Some scholars have suggested the prodigal's face resembles Dürer's own - a hint of autobiography, perhaps? Whatever the case, it's a deeply human interpretation of the parable, one that speaks to universal themes of redemption and homecoming. Dürer takes an ancient story and makes it breathe anew.
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