The Prodigal Son

Painting

-

Calvin University Center Art Gallery

In a dynamic, surreal depiction, a figure reminiscent of the prodigal son is shown tumbling forward with wind-swept clothes, clutching a suitcase, while nearby figures labor intently on the land, all amidst swirling trees that create an intense, emotive turbulence; the scene hints at themes of return, labor, and redemption, capturing the essence of the Biblical narrative.

In a dynamic, surreal depiction, a figure reminiscent of the prodigal son is shown tumbling forward with wind-swept clothes, clutching a suitcase, while nearby figures labor intently on the land, all amidst swirling trees that create an intense, emotive turbulence; the scene hints at themes of return, labor, and redemption, capturing the essence of the Biblical narrative.

Name/Title

The Prodigal Son

Entry/Object ID

2009.1.15

Description

The sons travels alone missing a shoe with his trunk open and clothes tattered. The scene looks to be whipped by the wind, as even the tree seems to bend in the gusts.

Type of Painting

Watercolor

Category

Vault, Biblical, Biblical People, New Testament, Landscape
People

Made/Created

Artist

Robert Barnum

Date made

1998

Dimensions

Dimension Description

image size

Height

23-1/2 in

Width

32 in

Dimension Description

frame size

Height

34-1/4 in

Width

42-1/4 in

Exhibitions

Prodigal Son: January 7 - February 7, 2009 Center Art Gallery, Calvin College:
Loan - Prodigal @ First Presbyterian Church – Midland, TX: February 22 – April 8, 2012
Loan - Prodigal @ Bella Vista Church – Rockford, MI: May 21 – July 23, 2012
Prodigal Son: Center Art Gallery: September 4 - October 20, 2012
Loan - Prodigal @ Elmhurst CRC, Elmhurst, IL January 10 – February 28, 2013
Loan - Prodigal @ Thornapple Covenant Church, Grand Rapids, MI: May 17 – 20, 2013
Loan - Prodigal @ Acton Institute, Grand Rapids, MI: May 20 – August 22, 2013
Loan - Prodigal @ First Congregational United Church of Christ, Washington DC September 3 – November 8, 2013
Loan - Prodigal @ First Presbyterian Church - Bonita Springs, Florida: March 10 - April 17, 2014
Loan - Prodigal @ Catholic Information Center, Grand Rapids, MI: February 18 - March 30, 2015
Permanent Collection Selections - Center Art Gallery, Calvin College: June 1 - August 15, 2015
Loan - Prodigal @ First Presbyterian Church - Tulsa OK: February 1 - April 18, 2016
Calvin Seminary President's Legacy Society Luncheon: May 18, 2016 @ Prince Conference Center
Loan - Prodigal @ Muskegon Museum of Art – Muskegon, MI: December 8, 2016 - February 12, 2017
Loan - Prodigal Son @ 1st Presbyterian Church - Colorado Springs, CO: February 20 - April 21, 2017
Loan - Prodigal @ Sojourn Community Church - Louisville, KY: June 18 - August, 2018
Loan - Prodigal @ Grand Rapids Art Museum - Grand Rapids, MI: September 20-21, 2018
Loan - Prodigal Son @ Monroe Community Church - April - June 2023
Prodigal Son: Gerbens Memorial Installation December 12, 2024 - February 10, 2025 Center Art Gallery