"The Prodigal Son in Misery" (third in a series of four)

1830-1842

possibly 1838

Maker

D. W. Kellogg & Co. (established 1830, renamed 1842)

Measurements

18-1/4 in x 13-3/4 in x 1 (sight, 14-1/8 in x 10-3/8 in)

Materials

Hand-colored lithograph on paper

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1959.3786

Inscription

"THE PRODIGAL SON IN MISERY. He would have filled his belly with the Husks that the swine did not eat." is printed across the bottom

Condition Notes

The print exhibits toning. It is poorly matted and in a modern frame.

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

The print is the third in a series of four that illustrate the well-known story of the Prodigal Son, related in the Bible, Luke 15:11-32.  He accepted his patrimony, left home and squandered it, and found himself destitute. The last print in the series shows him reconciled with his father.  The three other prints are accession nos. 1959.3784, 1959.3785, and 1959.3787.  All of the images follow a four-print set of colored etchings made in 1814 by Amos Doolittle (1754-1832) and published by Shelton & Kensett of Cheshire, Connecticut.

Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874) established his print and lithography company in Hartford in 1830.  In 1842, his younger brothers assumed control of the business and renamed it.  The Kelloggs were competitors of Currier & Ives of New York City.  The Philadelphia Museum of Art dates the series 1838 but does not offer evidence.  See acc. no. 2012-172-191 through 2012-172-194.