Pierre Paul Prud'hon (French, 1758–1823)
Innocence Prefers Love to Riches
INV-1640
Pierre Paul Prud'hon (French, 1758–1823)c. 1804
Innocence Prefers Love to Riches
Pierre Paul Prud'hon (French, 1758–1823) →nineteenth century19th centurypaintingpaint
Date
c. 1804
Medium
Oil on panel
Dimensions
34.3 × 27.2 cm (13 1/2 × 10 9/16 in.); Framed: 44.5 × 37.2 cm (17 1/2 × 14 5/8 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson Collection
In this allegorical painting, a personification of Innocence at center signals her preference for Love, represented as a cupid, over Riches, taking the form of a woman in lavish Grecian robes and offering a chest of golden baubles. Pierre-Paul Prud’hon complicated this straightforward parable by manipulating the figures’ postures: while Innocence embraces Love, she gazes longingly over her shoulder at Riches, inviting viewers to wonder about the finality of her decision.
Prud’hon created this preparatory sketch for a larger painting to be completed by his collaborator and friend, Constance Mayer, who was known for her portraits and allegorical scenes.
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