Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682) is one of the most celebrated painters of the Spanish Golden Age. A series of six paintings, the parable of the Prodigal Son, was presented to the National Gallery of Ireland by Sir Alfred and Lady Beit in 1987. The Prodigal Son cycle explores sin, repentance and forgiveness across the six paintings, staged in 17th-century Seville, where Murillo was born and lived throughout his life. On view for the first time in thirty years, they have been meticulously restored under the direction of NGI painting conservator Muirne Lydon. Discoveries made during the conservation and research reveal
how the artist worked, from canvas to ground layers and pigments, and form part of the exhibition.
Murillo – The Prodigal Son Restored: until 10 January
