Hans Feibusch (1898 Frankfurt, Germany – 1998 London, England)
The Prodigal Son, 1943
Oil on canvas
152.5 x 66 cm
Private Collection
© The Werthwhile Foundation
Immigrated to England 1933
In this third vertical composition Feibusch narrows the canvas to compress the dramatic gestures of the two intertwined figures as he returns to the familiar New Testament parable of The Prodigal Son, from the gospel of Luke, one of a number of biblical stories that he often explored as a prominent and prolific Church of England muralist. Here, the father’s loving forgiveness as he lays a gentle hand upon the supplicating, kneeling figure of his wayward but repentant son, is a complete reversal of the first image of power and oppression. The light he holds aloft is an allegory for love and forgiveness.
