22 JAN STEEN SECT. 52. The Prodigal Son. Sm. 163 ; W. 86. In the garden of a mansion, a girl dressed in white satin with a blue cloak is seated at a table on the right. Beside her is the prodigal, for whom a boy, standing behind him, pours out wine. A well-dressed man plays a guitar ; behind him at a table sits a man jesting with a girl. Two children are blowing bubbles. There are numerous other persons, among them a flute- player and a woman with a child. In the background are trees and a house. It is a very good picture. Signed and dated above the door (Sm.) ; canvas, 26 inches by 34^ inches. Described by Waagen (iii. 207). Sales. Amsterdam, September 12, 1708, No. 39 (161 florins). Emmerson, London, 1832 (220 : IDS.). In 1833 in the collection of Lord Northwick, Cheltenham, which was sold in 1838. 53. The Prodigal Son. Sm. 141 (?) and Suppl. 85; W. 29. In front of a country inn, the prodigal sits at a table on which are the remains of a meal. He turns to an ugly old woman, apparently to give her money. Beside him are two girls, one of whom is jesting with a couple of musicians. At the door is a stout woman. Above the door hangs a garland ; clothes, cards, and other things are strewn on the ground. In front lies a dog. Signed in full ; canvas, 22f inches by 28| inches. Exhibited at Amsterdam, 1 867, No. 1 84. Formerly in the Van Loon collection, Amsterdam. Now, presumably, in one of the Rothschild collections in Paris or London. 54. The Prodigal Son among Harlots. Sm. Suppl. 92 ; W. 76. The prodigal has risen from his bed, in which is a young woman. He beckons to another woman, who stands on a balcony with three other persons. A man with a turban is prominent among the other figures who complete the scene. "Painted in a free style" (Sm.). In the collection of H. A. J. Munro in 1842 ; it was not in the sale in London in June I, 1878. 55. THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON. The prodigal son enters from the right. A dog leaps up at him. To the left is the head of a calf. In the doorway to the left a young woman dressed in red brings a blue dress for the returned prodigal. Near her are an old woman, whose head alone is visible, and a boy. A girl with a basket on her head and a boy blowing a horn are seen through the open window. To the right are other figures in an inner room. The light falls most strongly on the father, and on the head of the calf, which is somewhat out of tone. The landscape in twilight is very beautiful. In the colouring of the draperies a strong red predominates. The figures are very well characterised. Signed in full in the left-hand bottom corner ; canvas, 38 inches by 48 inches. Formerly in the Finspong and Von Platen collections. Now in the Wachtmeister collection, Kulla-Gunnerstorp, in the south of Sweden, 1886 catalogue by O. Granberg, No. 50.
