The Prodigal Son chased from the Brothel

Prof. Dr. W. Maier-Preusker has kindly confirmed the attribution on the basis of a transparency, in a letter of 27 September 1997. He dates the picture to circa 1656, shortly before the artist moved from The Hague to Cologne. He will include it in his forthcoming addendum to "Christiaen van Couwenbergh (1604-1667), Oeuvre und Wandlungen eines Holländischen Caravaggisten", Wallraf-Richartz-Jahrbuch, LII, 1991, pp.163-236. An earlier rendering of the subject of circa 1630-35, was offered at Christie's New York, 10 January 1990, lot 52, with ill. The subject is taken from Luke, 15:13.