Innocence Prefers Love to Riches (c. 1804): Artwork and History

Innocence Prefers Love to Riches (c. 1804) is in the Art Institute of Chicago collection. The museum lists its creator attribution as Pierre Paul Prud'hon (French, 1758–1823).

The work and its context

The Art Institute of Chicago describes the work:

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.

Object facts

• Title: Innocence Prefers Love to Riches
• Date: c. 1804
• Artist attribution: Pierre Paul Prud'hon (French, 1758–1823)
• Place of origin: France
• 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.)
• Type: Painting
• Department: Painting and Sculpture of Europe
• Reference number: 1933.1090

Collection credit

Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson Collection

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