Black and white engraving of a feast at a round table under a tree, with a standing couple at left and a woman in a long gown at right.

The Prodigal Son Wasting His Fortune, Engraving by Hans Sebald Beham, 1540

An engraving in black ink on paper shows a woman in a long gown and a man in a feathered cap standing at left, while a seated group feasts at a round table under a tree beside a wooden fence. A Latin inscription and the date 1540 appear at the upper left. The scene is dense with fine hatched lines.

Artist: Hans Sebald Beham
Date: 1540
Medium: Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
Source: Art Institute of Chicago
Size: 1686 × 929 px

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Public domain · Art Institute of Chicago releases this image under CC0 (latest date 1540).
Rights checked 2026-11-05 · tier A · as stated by the source: CC0 (Art Institute of Chicago, is_public_domain=true)

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): Art Institute of Chicago, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Potter Palmer, Jr.

16th century 1540s 1540 engraving old master print hatching biblical scene renaissance print hans sebald beham woodcut style feast prodigal son round table black and white