Italian school of the second half of the 17th century. "The Return of the Prodigal Son". Oil on canvas. It has faults and tears. The frame has some leaks in the polychromy. Measurements: 77 x 106 cm; 83 x 112 cm (frame). The canvas that we are dealing with represents the parable of the prodigal son that, together with the one of the lost sheep and the one of the lost coin, forms a trilogy that receives the traditional denomination of parables of the mercy. The Parable tells " A man had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of the inheritance that is due to me." And he divided the inheritance between them. A few days later the younger son gathered it all together and went away to a far country where he squandered his inheritance living like a libertine. "When he had spent it all, there came an extreme famine in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and settled with one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his farms to graze pigs. And he wished to fill his belly with the carob that the pigs ate, but no one would give it to him. And when he came to himself, he said, "How many of my father's hired servants have plenty of bread, while I am starving here! I will arise and go to my father and say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants." And he arose and went to his father. "While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and, moved, ran to him, threw himself on his neck and kissed him warmly. The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his servants, "Bring quickly the best robe and dress him, put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. Bring the fatted bullock, kill it, and let us eat and feast, for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." And they began the feast. His eldest son was in the field, and when he came near the house, he heard the music and the dancing, and he called one of the servants and asked him what it was. He said to him, "Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened steer, because he has brought him back healthy." He was irritated and would not go in. His father came out and begged him. But he replied to his father, "I have served you for so many years, and I have never failed to do your bidding, but you have never given me a kid to have a feast with my friends; now that this son of yours has come, who has devoured your inheritance with prostitutes, you have killed for him the fatted bullock!" But he said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours; but it was fitting to hold a feast and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found." Dimensions 77 x 106 cm; 83 x 112 cm (frame).