The Return of the Prodigal Son

The biblical parable of the Prodigal Son tells of God’s mercy to a repentant sinner. Batoni depicts the return of the poor and naked son to the arms of his father, who lovingly accepts him, laying his mantle protectively around the son’s shoulders. The painter thus makes particularly clear the meaning of this parable: that the one who repents is loved more. The picture was purchased for the imperial picture gallery directly from the artist right after the painting was finished.