“I know of no such thing as genius, genius is nothing but labor and diligence.” ~William Hogarth

William Hogarth was an English painter, printmaker, and engraver who lived in the 18th century. His work often satirized contemporary British society and was very popular with the public.

The Polling

Early Career In the Arts

William was born in London on November 10, 1697. As a child, he didn’t receive formal artistic training. However, he liked the city and would go around to watch people and draw caricatures of them.

The Wedding of Stephen Beckingham and Mary Cox

Hogarth’s early career was mostly spent creating book illustrations and political cartoons. His teenage years were spent in London, where he worked as an engraver for a bookseller. He started out with a focus on portraiture but soon began to experiment with other genres such as satire and history painting.

The Battle of the Pictures

He married Jane Thornhill in 1729 against her father’s wishes, but eventually, Jane’s father relented. She was a shrewd businesswoman and worked with her husband at the print shop to sell his paintings and engravings, even well after his death.

The Beggar’s Opera

Painting Series

Hogarth painted a number of controversial works that caused a public outcry. “A Rake’s Progress” is a series of eight paintings that Hogarth completed in 1735. The paintings tell the story of a young man named Tom Rakewell who inherits a fortune and then wastes it all on gambling, drinking, and women. The work was highly critical of the decadent lifestyle of the upper class.

The Lady’s Last Stake

Another such series is “The Four Stages of Cruelty” which was an outcry against the cruel treatment of fellow man. It follows a man whose cruelty to animals as a boy led to his cruelty to people, and ultimately his death. 

The Marriage Contract

Hogarth was a very successful artist during his lifetime until his death in 1764. He is remembered as a prominent English artist whose satirical art pieces still inspire people today.

The Triumph of Representatives


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