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The Prodigal Son, 1896

  • gypsum
  • 58.7 x 34.9 x 15 cm
  • Inv. 1982-G

Public Domain

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In October 1895, George Minne left Ghent and settled in Brussels. As a sculptor, he underwent an important evolution there. In the first year that Minne was active there, he made expressive sculptures that express strong emotions, such as The Prodigal Son. The artist depicts the almost unbearable moment of reconciliation in a fierce embrace. By doing so, Minne adds a new dimension to the theme of the prodigal son, which was quite popular at the time. The bold line and modelling in Minne's sculpture is indeed related to the working method of Auguste Rodin, but with its extraordinary expressiveness, the distortions in the bodies and the intense expression of emotions, The Prodigal Son also heralded expressionism.

Artist

George Minne RKD VIAF Wikidata
Ghent 1866 - Sint-Martens-Latem 1941
sculptorsAAT

Title The Prodigal Son
Date 1896
Period 19th century
Collection sculpture AAT
Object type gypsum AAT
Inventory number 1982-G
Acquisition credit purchase
Gevaert-Minne, Marie
Sint-Martens-Latem
1982
Current whereabouts Work on display
Permalink https://mskgent.be/collection/work/data/1982-G
IIIF Manifest https://imagehub.mskgent.be/iiif/3/3261/manifest.json
Art & Architecture Thesaurus 300055874 religious symbolism AAT
Keywords Iconclass 31A the (nude) human figure; 'Corpo humano' (Ripa) Iconclass
31A231 standing figure Iconclass
31A2322 leaning backward Iconclass
31A71 male sex; man Iconclass
31D14 adult man Iconclass
42G2111 father (first degree family relationships) Iconclass
42G2121 son (first degree family relationships) Iconclass
57A74 Forgivingness Iconclass
57A741 Pardon; 'Perdono' (Ripa) Iconclass
73 New Testament Iconclass
73C86 parables and proverbial sayings of Christ ~ human and divine love Iconclass
73C864 the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) Iconclass
73C8646 the prodigal son returns home, where his father awaits him Iconclass
73C86461 the prodigal son kneels before his father who takes him in his arms Iconclass
School / Style Symbolism (artistic concept) AAT
George Minne en de kunst rond 1900 (Tentoonstelling Gent, Museum voor Schone Kunsten, 18.09.1982 - 05.12.1982) / Robert Hoozee, Monique Tahon-Vanroose, Albert Alhadeff. - Brussel : Gemeentekrediet, 1982 (p. 122-125, cat. 55 (ill.))
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