Return of the Prodigal Son

In a parable (Luke 15:11-32) Christ told of the younger son of a rich man who demanded his share of the patrimony, squandered it, and found himself in misery. Repenting, he returned to his father, who welcomed him back, telling the older brother, “to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found." Combining a critique of attachment to material well-being, with an affirmation of forgiveness and an allusion to eternal life, the culminating scene was a frequent subject of Baroque painting. This interpretation is a splendid example of Ricci’s mature style. The returning son kneels upon the threshold while the father extends open arms. While its small scale and rich touch might suggest a preparatory study, its compositional equilibration and regular finish indicate a completed work. Newly evident and impressive following conservation in 2001 are the clear tonality revived from Veronese, the pronounced chiaroscuro inspired by contemporary Bolognese painters, and the dramatic sweep despite its size.