The Prodigal Son Driven Out is one of a series of paintings by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo that narrates the parable of the Prodigal Son, capturing the moment the young man is expelled from the inn after squandering his inheritance ^[3][4]. Painted in 1660 in oil on canvas, the work measures 104.5 × 134.5 cm and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland ^[3][4]. The painting belongs to a group of works Murillo produced on this theme, which also includes The Return of the Prodigal Son (1667/1670) in the National Gallery of Art, Washington ^[5].

Artist: Murillo and the Seville Baroque

Murillo (baptised 1 January 1618 – 3 April 1682) was a Spanish Baroque painter active in Seville, a city that became a major center for Baroque art ^[1][2]. While he is best known for religious works, he also produced numerous paintings of contemporary women and children, including flower girls, street urchins, and beggars, creating an extensive record of everyday life in his time ^[1]. His religious narratives, such as the Prodigal Son series, reflect the Counter-Reformation emphasis on emotional engagement and accessible moral lessons ^[1].

Iconography: the parable of the Prodigal Son

The painting illustrates the biblical parable from the Gospel of Luke, in which a young man demands his inheritance, squanders it in dissolute living, and is reduced to feeding pigs before returning home to his forgiving father ^[1]. Murillo’s interpretation focuses on the moment of expulsion, emphasizing the son’s shame and the rejection he faces ^[3][4]. The narrative of sin, destitution, and eventual redemption was a popular subject in 17th-century Spanish art, serving both devotional and didactic purposes ^[1].

Technique: oil painting in Seville

Executed in oil on canvas, the work reflects Murillo’s mastery of the medium, which he used to achieve a sense of realism in the depiction of figures and textures ^[3][4][5]. The painting’s dimensions of 104.5 × 134.5 cm place it among Murillo’s moderately sized narrative works ^[3]. Murillo’s technique in this period involved careful attention to the subtleties of skin tones and drapery, contributing to the emotional impact of the scene ^[1].

Provenance and collection history

Date	Event
1660	Painting executed by Murillo [3]
Current	In the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland [3][4]

The painting is documented in the online collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, which holds the primary source record for the work ^[4]. Its presence in a major public collection ensures continued scholarly and public access to this example of Murillo’s narrative art ^[4].

Related works: the Prodigal Son series

Murillo produced multiple paintings on the Prodigal Son theme, demonstrating his sustained interest in the subject ^[5]. A related work, The Return of the Prodigal Son, dated 1667/1670 and also in oil on canvas, is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington ^[5]. Together, these works show Murillo’s evolving approach to the parable, from the dramatic expulsion to the tender reconciliation, highlighting his versatility in conveying emotional and moral complexity ^[1][5].

Frequently asked questions

When was The Prodigal Son Driven Out painted?

The painting is dated to 1660, according to the verified catalogue record ^[3].

Where is the painting located today?

The work is in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, as documented in the museum’s online collection record ^[3][4].

What are the dimensions of the painting?

The painting measures 104.5 × 134.5 cm and is executed in oil on canvas ^[3].