[5] The marble groups were completed in early 1910,[8] and shipped back to France to make their debut at the Salon des Artistes Francais, at the end of April.

[9] Gustav Stickley's magazine The Craftsman printed nearly two pages of rave reviews, translated from French, that Barnard received for the Pennsylvania State Capitol sculpture groups.

[12] On Sunday, the canvas walls of the tents were cut down by art-lovers who wished to view the sculptures before plaster loincloths were applied on Monday—"the great majority of the crowd being women," according to The Chicago Tribune.

[12] Instead of short trousers or loincloths, the Piccirilli Brothers carved marble sheaths to cover the genitals of the male figures, for which they charged $118.50.

The embrace of their arms makes a complete circle; the two bodies intertwine as one, successfully symbolizing the idea of forgiveness and humility in the face of love.

[1]A plaster of The Prodigal Son was shown in Barnard's one-man exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, November–December 1908.

[9] Barnard exhibited his twice-life-size marble (now at the Speed Art Museum) at the 1913 Armory Show in New York City,[1] along with four sculpture groups from his Urn of Life.

[1] A plaster of The Prodigal Son was included in the 1963 centenary exhibition of Barnard's work at Pennsylvania State University.