Esmond and the Prince was published as the frontispiece for Scribner's magazine monthly "Scenes from the Great Novels" series from 1897. Each month, the publication commissioned the leading illustrators of the day to paint a scene from a classic novel, including iconic works such as David Copperfield, The Three Musketeers and The Scarlett Letter.

The present work depicts a scene from Chapter 13 in William Makepeace Thackeray's The History of Henry Esmond, published in 1852. Set in 17th century England, the novel centers around Henry Esmond, a Jacobite supporter who aims to restore to the throne Prince James Francis Edward Stuart, whose father King James II was exiled during the Glorious Revolution of 1688. With the aid of Esmond's cousin Frank, the fifth Viscount Castlewood, the young Prince journeys back to England to reclaim the crown. When Esmond realizes the Prince is infatuated with his cousin Beatrix and has no actual political ambitions, he and Frank renounce the young heir. The present scene illustrates a duel between the three characters which ensues as a result.