A detailed 16th-century engraving by Hans Collaert the Elder, depicting the biblical scene of the Prodigal Son feeding swine.

This engraving by Hans Collaert the Elder depicts the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son during his period of destitution. The composition focuses on the central figure, who kneels in a humble posture while tending to a group of swine. The artist employs precise line work to define the textures of the animals, the rustic wooden trough, and the surrounding rural environment. In the background, a small dwelling and a distant town provide a sense of spatial depth, typical of the period's interest in narrative setting.

The Latin inscription at the base, taken from the Gospel of Luke, provides the thematic context for the scene. It describes the son having lost his wealth and being left naked, forced to satisfy his hunger alongside the pigs. Collaert, a member of a prominent family of engravers in Antwerp, demonstrates a mastery of the burin, using varied hatching techniques to create shadow and volume. The figures are rendered with the anatomical attention characteristic of the Northern Renaissance, while the inclusion of domestic details like the cart and the fence adds a layer of realism to the moralising subject.

As a printmaker, Collaert was active in a period when the dissemination of religious imagery through engravings was common. This work reflects the technical standards of the Antwerp school, where print production was a highly organised craft. The balanced composition directs the viewer's eye from the foreground interaction between the man and the swine toward the secondary narrative elements in the distance. The print remains a clear example of how biblical themes were translated into visual media for contemporary audiences, balancing didactic intent with technical skill.