The canvas was first recorded as part of the Collection in 1693. It was attributed to Titian, then to Bonifacio de' Pitati, and since the beginning of the 20th century has been definitively recognized as a work by Antonio Palma.
The composition of the painting is very complex. In the foreground is the main episode of the subject, the return of the prodigal son (Luke 15, 11-32), while in the background – divided about in half between a court delimited by impressive buildings and a lush landscape – are other events regarding the biblical
tale.