Dimensions: 218 x 135 cm (canvas only) Materials: Oil on canvas An imposing oil on canvas painting depicting the famous biblical parable of the Return of the Prodigal Son. The work is distinguished by its monumental size and a composition of great scenic impact, featuring the merciful father in the act of welcoming and clothing the found son. The formal characteristics show a marked use of chiaroscuro, with raking light that models the anatomies and drapery of the garments, recalling the naturalistic sensibility of Baroque painting. The palette is played out in warm, earthy tones, typical of the Emilian tradition. The work is attributable to a follower of Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri), from whom it takes the monumental setting of the figures and the psychological rendering of the faces. The style reflects the canons of the Bolognese school, with particular attention to the narration of affections and the solemnity of the gesture. Executed in the 17th century, the painting represents a significant testament to the iconographic fortune of Guercinesque subjects in period collections. The object is presented in good general condition, with signs of age compatible with its period.
