A detailed 16th-century engraving by Dirck Volckertsz. Coornhert depicting the biblical scene of the Prodigal Son receiving his inheritance.

This etching and engraving by Dirck Volckertsz. Coornhert depicts the opening scene of the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son. The composition focuses on the moment the father distributes his wealth to his younger son. The father, seated at a table covered in coins, gestures towards the currency, while the son stands in elaborate, plumed attire, ready to depart. A smaller figure, likely a servant or attendant, stands to the right, holding a purse or bag, reinforcing the theme of impending travel and expenditure.

Coornhert, a significant figure in the Dutch Renaissance, was both a humanist and a printmaker. His work often reflects the influence of Italian Mannerism, which is visible here in the elongated proportions of the figures and the complex, decorative treatment of the clothing. The architectural setting, featuring a vaulted interior and a glimpse of an exterior landscape through an archway, provides a sense of depth typical of the period. The cross-hatching and fine line work demonstrate the technical precision common in mid-sixteenth-century Northern European printmaking.

The narrative is presented with clarity, typical of the didactic nature of much Dutch art from this era. The contrast between the father's modest, scholarly appearance and the son's flamboyant, worldly dress serves to communicate the moral tension inherent in the story. The print is a fine example of the period's interest in combining classical artistic techniques with moralising biblical themes, intended for a learned audience familiar with both the scripture and the evolving visual language of the Renaissance.