Master of the Prodigal Son

[4] Little is known about this artist who was given his notname in 1909 by Belgian art historian Georges Hulin de Loo after one of his best-known works depicting The return of the prodigal son (collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna).

Stylistic characteristics of his work suggest he may have spent time in Italy but there is no independent evidence for foreign trip.

The bearded figures, on the other hand, are closer to the work of Frans Floris and Pieter Coecke van Aelst.

[2] The Master of the Prodigal Son's characteristic style of painting figures is shown in the triptych of the Adoration of the Magi (Christie's sale of 9 December 2016, London lot 101).

The small faces, pointed chins and closely placed eyes, the large hands with defined finger nails and the figures walking as if ‘on tiptoe’, are features which are typical of his style.