Art Institute of Chicago

Innocence Prefers Love to Riches

Pierre Paul Prud'hon (French, 1758–1823)

Date

c. 1804

Medium

Oil on panel

Culture

France

Department

Painting and Sculpture of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

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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