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Lot Essay
Possibly inspired by a passage from the Old Testament, Guercino explored this theme of two boys and an elderly man, with several variations, in another drawing at Chatsworth (inv. 521; M. Jaffé, The Devonshire Collection of Italian Drawings: Bolognese and Emilian Schools, London, 1994, no. 561). Although the subject of the composition remains uncertain, it might represent an episode from the story of Jacob in the book of Genesis.
Although it has also been tentatively suggested that this drawing may represent the return of the prodigal son, the two boys appear to be too young to fit the Biblical parable. Perhaps a more likely subject for this drawing, would be Jacob blessing the sons of Joseph. The drawing would thus appear to depict Jacob, having blessed his younger grandson Ephraim, being confronted by the older brother Manasseh.
The three principal figures also appear in an etching by Dominique Vivant, Baron Denon (1747-1825) after a drawing attributed to Guercino, then in Denon’s collection.
Although it has also been tentatively suggested that this drawing may represent the return of the prodigal son, the two boys appear to be too young to fit the Biblical parable. Perhaps a more likely subject for this drawing, would be Jacob blessing the sons of Joseph. The drawing would thus appear to depict Jacob, having blessed his younger grandson Ephraim, being confronted by the older brother Manasseh.
The three principal figures also appear in an etching by Dominique Vivant, Baron Denon (1747-1825) after a drawing attributed to Guercino, then in Denon’s collection.