Pamela greets her father [Pamela, Plate 8]

Date1745

After work by Joseph Highmore (ca. 1692-1780)

Engraver L. Truchy

MediumLine engraving and etching on laid paper

DimensionsOverall: 12 5/8 × 16 1/4 in (32.07 × 41.27cm) (includes false margins)
Other (Platemark): 11 3/4 × 14 7/8 in (29.84 × 37.78cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1968-280,8

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "Jos. Highmore inv. et pinx./ L. Truchy sculpsit./ Pamela on her knees before her Father, whom she had discovered behind the door,/ having overturne'd the card-table in her way. S.r Simon Darnford, his Lady &c. observing her/ with eagerness and admiration. M.r B. struck with this Scene is waiting the Issue./ Pamela a genoux devant son Pere, qu'elle avoit decouvert derriere la porte, ayant renverse/ la table de jeu en se pressant. Le Chevalier Darnford, son Epouse, et les autres la regardent avec/ emotion, et admiration, pendant que M.r B. frappe de cette scene, en attend l'issue./ Published, according to Act of Parliament, July 1.st 1745."Label TextThis is part eight of a twelve-part series based on Samuel Richardson's highly successful epistolatory novel Pamela: Or Virtue Rewarded which was one of the most influential works of English literature of the 18th century. Written in the form of letters and journal entries through the eyes of Pamela Andrews, a 15-year-old domestic servant, as she as she rejects the repeated failed seductions and attempted kidnappings by her wealthy employer, Mr. B. It's also a work of conduct literature about marriage, morality, and social class. It's heroine, Pamela navigates her low position in society and her religious training to remain "virtuous" against all odds. Between 1744 and 1745, the painter Joseph Highmore published advertisements seeking subscribers to support the publication of engravings based on his twelve paintings representing scenes from the novel. The prints were published with inscriptions in English and French to appeal to a wide audience.

In the eighth scene, Mr. B invites Pamela's father to come visit, hoping she will accept his hand in marriage. The inscription reads: Pamela on her knees before her Father, whom she had discovered behind the door, having overturne'd the card-table in her way. S.r Simon Darnford, his Lady &c. observing her. with eagerness and admiration. M.r B. struck with this Scene is waiting the Issue."ProvenanceBefore 1968, Frank Partridge & Sons, Ltd. (London, England); 1968-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)