1799

The PRODIGAL SON receiving his PATRIMONY

London. Published 29 May 1799 by Haines & Son, No. 19 Rolls Buildings, Fetter Lane

The father seated in his library holds his wallet from which he laid out his son's patrimony upon the table. The son in profile reaches with both hands to take up the pile of cash and jewels. His brother stands with one hand in his vest watching. The room has two book cases with large volumes, a landscape painting, and a globe. The text is from Luke 15:13: "He gathered all together and took his Journey into a far Country."

This is the first of four mezzotints described by Ellen D'Oench as the source for the American engraver, Amos Doolittle's, etchings published in 1814 and reproduced in D'Oench (1995), p. 19.

The PRODIGAL SON revelling with HARLOTS

London. Published 29 May 1799 by Haines & Son, No 19 Rolls Buildings, Fetter Lane

Three young men carouse with harlots. The gentleman (l.), probably the son, is being toasted by the woman beside him. A second man, (c.) dressed in a military style, has passed out in his chair and his feminine companion pours a drink over his head. The last man (r.) holds his harlot on his lap and boistrously raises his glass in a toast. A mirror with side candle lighting in on the wall as well of two paintings, one of a nude woman reclining below drapery, the other a landscape. The text is from Luke 15:13: "He wasted his Substance with Riotous Living."

Though Amos Doolittle otherwise copied the series closely, he made one change in his reproduction for an American audience, replacing the reclining nude in the painting with a cupid.

The PRODIGAL SON in MISERY

London. Published 29 May 1799 by Haines & Son, No 19 Rolls Buildings, Fetter Lane

The ruined man sits rather stiffly in a swineyard, clasping his knees and looking up to catch the viewer's eye. His clothes are tattered with large holes in his stockings and his walking stick lies beside him. Four pigs feed in the yard bounded by a rough-hewn board fence. A large tree protrudes over the fence and a farmhouse can be seen in the rural landscape beyond. The text is from Luke 15:16: "He would fain have filled his Belly with the husks that the swine did eat."

Courtesy of the Print Collection, Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University

The PRODIGAL SON returned to HIS FATHER

London. Published 29 May 1799 by Haines & Son, No 19 Rolls Buildings, Fetter Lane

The son, still in tattered clothes, kneels to be received by his father. Two women stand behind, the one with hands clasped, the other with head bowed, both responding to the emotional scene. Behind can be seen the Georgian house and gardens. The text is from Luke 15:21: "Father I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy Son."

31 x 24 cm.
Lewis Walpole Library (799.5.29.1-4)