Introducing the story behind the painting "The Return of the Prodigal Son" by Rembrandt, the painter of light.
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📌The Hidden Story of “The Return of the Prodigal Son”📌
“This son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.” (Luke 15,24)
In the painting, the epicenter of the light is his father's face, subtly illuminating all objects.
This is the Chiaroscuro(Contrast) technique, which is patented by Rembrandt, the painter of light.
It expresses the dramatic reunion of father and son through the contrast between light and darkness, as if a candle was lit in a dark space.
The expression on his father's face is neither smiling nor crying.
He can only feel a deep sense of relief and peace.
The father's eyes are severely smashed and he is almost blind.
It shows the heart of a father who was weeping as he waited anxiously for his son every day.
A father held his son in his arms as a hen lays eggs.
If you look at the father's hands on his son, the right hand is a delicate woman's hand, and the left hand is a crude man's hand.
This symbolizes the image of God who shows the heart of mother and father at the same time and heals the returned son with complete forgiveness and love.
“I no longer deserve to be called your son.” (Luke 15,21)
The younger son, who is full of rags and rests his head in his father's arms, has no hair at all.
This is the image of the fetus in the mother's womb and symbolizes the new birth from the world of darkness into the world of light.
The scarred left foot with the shoe removed shows the life of the younger son who fell into the abyss after living a life of debauchery.
The right foot, wearing shoes, symbolizes the will to return to his father after barely holding on to his spirit in a miserable life.
The younger son's waist is filled with a small sword.
This sword is not for self-defense, but for proof of identity.
He is a sinner who has abandoned his father and left, and has lived a life of failure and returned to serve as a servant, but the sword proving that he is the son of the father at any moment means that he is the son of the father, the son of God.
The younger son is actually Rembrandt himself.
In other words, the younger son returned to his father and held in his arms is a self-portrait of Rembrandt who fell into the abyss after living a life of debauchery.
“All these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders.” (Luke 15,29)
The older son wearing the same red robe as his father and holding a wand symbolizing power.
The older son, who has always looked after his father, is full of dissatisfaction with the current situation.
The father bends over and embraces the younger son, but the older son keeps his back straight like a judge and looks at his younger brother with cold eyes.
If you look at the eldest son's two hands, the dark right hand is pressing down on the light left hand, indicating complex and double emotions.
The father's hands are full of love, but the older son's hands are full of narrowness.
If you look at The older son's leg, he can't see his right foot, which means he has lost his identity as the father's son.
The older son is living a peaceful life under the care and protection of his father, but he lives day by day unaware of its preciousness.
The eldest inherited everything from his father, but he did not accept his father's compassionate heart.
“There will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15,10)
Do not forget that just as God embraced Rembrandt when he returned, he always embraces us.
We are God's beloved children.
💕 Questions for reflection and sharing 💕
What did you learn from the story behind "The Return of the Prodigal Son"?
Am I living day to day as a true child of God?
🎼 BGM
“Solo Cello Passion”, Bach (Doug Maxwell)
“Night Music Romanze”, Mozart (Wedding Celebration Music)
🎬 자료화면
“The Return of the Prodigal Son” (Henri Nouwen)
“Rembrandt Behind the Artist” (Best Documentary)
“Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg” (feel_russian)
“Meeting the master in St. Petersburg” (Odd Nerdrum)
“젊은이들을 위한 고해성사” (명동대성당, 2016)
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7 окт 2024
