Prodigal Son Chased Away by Women

This tapestry depicts an episode from the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), and belongs to a series of this subject. After receiving his inheritance, the son left his family behind and squandered his wealth. Here, he is being chased away by damsels because his money has run out. Another tapestry may have shown the preceding episode of the prodigal son feasting with the women at an inn. Five young women turn aggressively toward the prodigal son at right; one of them wields a broom in his direction. All of the figures wear contemporary Flemish court attire. The costume and figure style are characteristic of Tournai weavings in the early 16th century.