
The Prodigal Son: page 37
1895
Henri Rivière's color lithograph illustrates a scene from the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son as interpreted through the poetry and music of Georges Fragerolle. Part of a bound volume containing fifteen color lithographs, this work exemplifies Rivière's sophisticated use of the lithographic medium to create richly colored and detailed narrative imagery. The composition combines Rivière's characteristic decorative sensibility with the emotional gravity of the narrative subject matter, creating an intimate collaboration between visual art and literary text.
- Medium
- 15 color lithographs in a bound volume illustrating the poetry and music of Georges Fragerolle: color lithograph
- Location
- Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
More by Henri Rivière
Spotted works by Henri Rivière
Artists in conversation

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen
Swiss-French · b. 1859

Steinlen created richly colored Art Nouveau lithographs with strong figurative narratives and a melancholic emotional depth that closely parallels Rivière's illustrative approach in this biblical scene. His work in illustrated publications and bound volumes shares the same decorative yet emotionally weighted sensibility found in this piece.
Eugène Grasset
Swiss-French · b. 1845
Grasset produced elaborate color lithographs for illustrated books and decorative publications in the late 19th century, combining ornamental Art Nouveau styling with figurative and narrative imagery in a manner directly comparable to Rivière's treatment of the Prodigal Son scene. His technical mastery of multicolor lithography and his integration of text and image in bound volumes mirrors this specific work.

Maurice Denis
French · b. 1870

Denis illustrated numerous religious and literary texts using color lithography with a deeply decorative and spiritually contemplative quality that aligns closely with Rivière's approach to this biblical parable. His flattened color forms, Nabi influenced style, and commitment to narrative illustration in bound volumes reflect the same fusion of devotional subject matter and aesthetic refinement seen here.
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