Rembrandt's Prodigal Son Revisited

Painting

-

Calvin University Center Art Gallery

In this evocative scene reminiscent of the Prodigal Son, a kneeling figure, embraced by a man in a beige suit, suggests a moment of reconciliation and forgiveness, while an artist in green overalls works intently at an easel, symbolizing a possible connection to the act of creation or redemption, with paint tubes and a bottle nearby adding a sense of realism to the studio setting.

In this evocative scene reminiscent of the Prodigal Son, a kneeling figure, embraced by a man in a beige suit, suggests a moment of reconciliation and forgiveness, while an artist in green overalls works intently at an easel, symbolizing a possible connection to the act of creation or redemption, with paint tubes and a bottle nearby adding a sense of realism to the studio setting.

Name/Title

Rembrandt's Prodigal Son Revisited

Entry/Object ID

2009.1.24

Description

A man in a sweatshirt kneels at his fathers feet. The father wears a modern suit. To the right of them stands a large easel and a male painter.

Type of Painting

Easel

Artwork Details

Medium

Acrylic

Category

On-Display at Calvin University, Biblical, Biblical People, New Testament, Alumni Artist
People

Made/Created

Artist

Jonathan Quist

Date made

2008

Dimensions

Dimension Description

frame size

Height

84 in

Width

65-1/2 in

Exhibitions

Prodigal Son: January 7 - February 7, 2009 Center Art Gallery, Calvin College:
Loan - Prodigal @ Madison Square Church – Grand Rapids, MI: April 16 – 23, 2009
Loan - Prodigal @ Bethlehem Church – Grand Rapids, MI: September 21 – November 10, 2009
Loan - Prodigal @ Grand Rapids Theological Seminary – Grand Rapids, MI: January 27 – February 3, 2010
Loan - Prodigal @ Calvary Baptist Church - Grand Rapids, MI: May 29 - July 3, 2009
Loan - Prodigal @ 2nd Reformed Church, Zeeland, MI March 9 – May 18, 2010
Loan - Prodigal @ Dordt College – Sioux Center, IA: July 2 – October 8, 2010
Loan - Prodigal @ Grand Rapids Christian High School – Grand Rapids, MI: March 4 – April 22, 2011
Loan - Prodigal @ Central Reformed Church – Grand Rapids, MI: October 7 – 17, 2011
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 @ Catholic Information Center, Grand Rapids, MI: February 18 - March 30, 2015

General Notes

Note

I have known a handful of true prodigals in my life, people that boldly stray from the path of expectations, responsibilities, and duty in the pursuit of life's pleasures. Their stories are alluring, and my first-born, conservative, "play-it-safe" tendencies feel uninspiring in light of such exploits and adventures. In my head, I know that the prodigal journey eventually leads to pain, suffering, and brokenness. But I still can't help feeling a sense of jealousy and curiosity towards the disobedient life. Like the elder son in this parable, I sometimes wonder what the reward is for being dutiful. As I have considered my elder son tendencies, I have begun to identify myself as a safe observer. In some ways, I haven't lived the prodigal lifestyle simply because I didn't dare. Perhaps my morals have been formed more out of my need for control than by the faith I thought that I was living. And as the prodigals return home, I often feel like I am left out in the dark, completely lost and unwilling, or unable to let go of the life I have built in order to participate in the grace offered by my heavenly Father. In order to spend some time thinking about this "safe observer" role, I decided to paint myself into Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal. I have replaced the elder son with an image of myself as an artist, painting the staged embrace between the father and prodigal son. In this way, I have full control of the situation. I am not required to participate in the embrace because I am going about the prestigious task of painting. The large canvas, tools, and easel ensure this separation. I am able to direct the entire process from the initial idea development all the way through to the completion of the painting. This scenario mirrors the religious construct I tend to build for myself in which I create a respectable niche for myself while maintaining control. In the parable, the elder son's world falls apart when he is confronted with his brother's return. I have been approaching this same fate for a long time. My mounting discontent with my inner life is beginning to overpower my need for control. As I complete this painting I can sense that a change is coming regardless if I want it or not. I am slowly learning to put on the character of accepting acceptance, as Paul Tillich writes in "The Courage to Be." He writes, "It is faith that allows grace to do its work, faith... is the courage to accept the acceptance of the unacceptable: namely, oneself." I am confident that God is faithful. He is authoring and perfecting my faith and will see it through to completion. He is pursuing me and will not let me go. Someday I will find myself in His full embrace.