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The Prodigal Son, David Teniers, the Younger, c. 1640
David Teniers, portraitDavid TeniersFlemish, 1610–1690

The Prodigal Son

c. 1640 · Painting · 57.15 × 77.47 cm

Can I see it?

Yes, on view now

Where is “The Prodigal Son” now? Minneapolis Institute of Art, G309, Minneapolis. Yes, on view now. Checked October 12, 2026.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Minneapolis, United States

RoomG309

Closed· opens at 10:00 AM

On public display.

Checked
In this state since
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The museum
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About the painting

The Biblical parable of the prodigal son—a youth who wastes his wealth on riotous living before returning home poor and repentant—is depicted here with wine, women, and song. He shares a rich meal with two prostitutes as street musicians perform, his cloak and sword lying nearby to suggest he’ll soon continue his partying elsewhere. The clothed monkey eating an apple—an ancient symbol of love—and dragging a ball and chain indicate the son’s bondage to vice.

Frame: Gift of the Marjorie Engels Memorial Fund and the Paintings Curatorial Council

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Details

Accession number
45.8

In the catalog

PaintingsOilFlemish paintingBaroque17th centuryNetherlands

Sources

More by David Teniers

All works
Environs d'Anvers paysage, Teniers, David II, 2e quart du XVIIe siècle (selon Margret Klinge, communication écrite, mai 2006) (source documentaire ou archivistique) (vers 1640 - 1642)

Environs d'Anvers paysage

second quarter of the 17th century (c. 1640–1642) · Musée du Louvre

Shepherdess, David Teniers, 17th century

Shepherdess

17th century · State Hermitage Museum

Paysage au taureau, Teniers, David II, 2e quart du XVIIe siècle (1625 - 1650)

Paysage au taureau

second quarter of the 17th century (1625–1650) · Musée du Louvre

Flautist, David Teniers, 1630s

Flautist

1630s · State Hermitage Museum

Landscape with Peasants before an Inn, David Teniers, 1630s

Landscape with Peasants before an Inn

1630s · State Hermitage Museum

Intérieur d'estaminet, Teniers, David II, 2e quart du XVIIe siècle (vers 1633 - 1634)

Intérieur d'estaminet

second quarter of the 17th century (c. 1633–1634) · Musée du Louvre

Joueur de musette, Teniers, David II, 2e quart du XVIIe siècle (vers 1635 - 1637)

Joueur de musette

second quarter of the 17th century (c. 1635–1637) · Musée du Louvre

Le tête-à-tête épié, Teniers, David II, 2e quart du XVIIe siècle (vers 1638 - 1640)

Le tête-à-tête épié

second quarter of the 17th century (c. 1638–1640) · Musée du Louvre

In the same room · G309, Minneapolis Institute of Art

Museum page
Portrait of Lucia Wijbrants, Gabriël Metsu, 1667

Gabriël Metsu

Portrait of Lucia Wijbrants, 1667

A Hermit Praying, Gerrit Dou, 1670

Gerrit Dou

A Hermit Praying, 1670

Fishing Vessels Offshore in a Heavy Sea, Ludolph Backhuysen, 1684

Ludolf Bakhuysen

Fishing Vessels Offshore in a Heavy Sea, 1684

The Four Days’ Battle, Abraham Storck, 1666

Abraham Storck

The Four Days’ Battle, 1666

Still Life, Jan Jansz. van de Velde, 1658

Jan Jansz van de Velde

Still Life, 1658

Still Life of Dead Birds, Jan Vonck, c. 1660

Jan Vonck

Still Life of Dead Birds, c. 1660

Floral Still Life, Jan Davidsz. de Heem, c. 1640s

Jan Davidsz. de Heem

Floral Still Life, c. 1640s