Week Twenty-Eight: The Prodigal Son by Robert Hodgell

July 14, 2019

Week Twenty-Eight: The Prodigal Son by Robert Hodgell

Humor is generally in short supply in religious art, so, I'm delighted to present a not-so-serious image of the Prodigal Son from American Artist Robert Hodgell this week in my continuing survey of highlights of the Sacred Art Pilgrim. The son of a Methodist minister, Hodgell heard enough sermons growing up to view institutional religion as an adult with a jaundiced eye, repeatedly returning to sacred themes in prints and illustrations with imagery that is, by turns, sardonic, anguished, poignant, and prophetic in a compellingly modern way.  The surly, down-and-out antihero of the biblical story, shown seated among the swine with his hip flask of liquor, scuffed safari boots and Playboy Bunny cufflinks, hinting at profligate days gone by, is typical of Hodgell's artistic cast of characters. Take a closer look at the Prodigal Son's craggy-featured face and you will understand why the artist's brand of satire can be described as "laughter through tears." (John Kohan)