yr12_hogarth

=__**William Hogarth and his art work**__=

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**__William Hogarth-__**

William Hogarth was born in London in England in 1697 and died in 1764 aged 67. Hogarth started his career as an apprenticeship learning to engrave trade cards and related objects. In his spare time, he enjoyed doing quick sketches of people he saw in local fairs or of the street life in London. In 1729, Hogarth married the daughter of the artist Sir James Thornhill. Hogarth was a well known painter for mocking the politics and customs of the time, though he wasn't always liked as some critics found his work comic like rather than art.

(right - Self-portrait of William Hogarth)

__**Moralizing art:**__


 * A Rake's progress –**

'A Rake's Progress' painted in 1734 is a series of eight oil paintings that depict the downfall of Tom Rakewell. The series of paintings begin with Tom inheriting his father's fortune and how he gradually spends all of the money. 'A Rake's Progress' has a connection with William Hogarth's person life as when he was young his father was imprisoned for debt for 5 years due to opening an unprofitable coffee house for Latin-speakers.

Below are the 8 paintings and a description for each.



//The Rake Taking Possession of his Estate://

This first painting illustrates how the money has been gathered in the Rakewell's dim house. The audience can see that Tom Rakewell is getting new clothes made for him by a tailor while he tries to pay off unsucesfully the mother of his pregnant lover, Sarah. In the background the servants are searching for treasures in the walls of the Estate while a family steward sorts out Rakewell's accounts however sneakly steals some money. An underweight cat in the foreground searches for food in a box full of silver ornaments.



//The Rake's Levée://

This conveys Tom with the most success out of all the paintings. He is hosting a morning Levée for artistocrats that seek his attention. The painting includes a dancing-master, a poet, a jockey, a music teacher, a landscape gardener and finally a tailor. In the background hangs 3 italian paintings, the artist deliberatly added this detail to portray the attitudes of some artistocrats of that time. Hogarth did not agree with people buying foreign paintings but rather supported British work's of art.



//The Rake at the Rose-Tavern://

On the third painting William Hogarth has started portraying Tom Rakewell's downfall. It is the early hours of the morning and Tom is fairly drunk surrounded by prostitues who have syphilis (the girls with the black spot on their heads represent the disease). In the foreground is Tom who is being sedussed by a whore while another steals his watch. There is also a broken lantern which represents the rowdy evening that he had. On the left of the painting is a stripper undressing ready to dance on the silver plate that is being brought in. A street singer is shown singing in the background. Hogarth added this detail to illustrate that Tom is better suited for this type of music which is a contrast to the previous painting.



//The Rake Arrested, Going to Court://

As a result of the previous painting Rakewell has been arrested for his boisterous lifestyle and fast spending. It is St Davids day represented by the bailiffs wearing leeks in their hats. Although arrested, the young miliner Sarah has come to his rescue and paid off the bailiffs for Tom's debt with her hard-earned savings which conveys how much she trully loves him. William Hogarth has further added detail of Tom's downfall by illustrating a young boy stealing Rakewell's gold-topped cane.



//The Rake Marrying an Old Woman://

The fifth painting is set in Marylebone Old Church, a place for secret or scandalous weddings. Tom is nearly in debt so has decided to marry an old lady, who only has one eye, for her fortune. However Rakewell seems more interested in the young maid than marrying the old lady. In the background, is Sarah, who holding Tom's child and her mother who are trying to prevent the marriage. The two dogs in the foreground represent the bizarre wedding.



//The Rake at the Gaming House://

Tom is shown in despair, wigless and angrily holding his fists to God as he cannot continue to gamble away his inheritance. White's club in Soho is full of life's 'losers'. On the left of the painting is a nobleman pleading for more money to the moneylender while in the background the Gaming House is on the point of destruction as a fire has started, this is illustrated through smoke seeping through the walls. Few people have noticed the fire and the 'losers' of the club are too busy gambling.



//The Rake in Prison://

Due to his over-spending Tom Rakewell has been sent to Fleet prison. Hogarth has shown Rakewell trying to ineffectively write a play while his wife is nagging at him about his debts. A beer-boy and gaoler both are asking Tom for the money his owes them whilst Sarah has visited with Tom's child. Sarah has fainted with shock after seeing Tom in such a state. In the background is a man trying to make 'fool's gold'.



//The Rake in Bedlam://

The last and most important painting for me portrays the lowest point of Tom Rakewell's life. He has become mentally unable as a result of his scandalous lifestyle. The painting is set in Bethlem Hospital, Europe's first psychiatric hospital where patients were chained to the walls or floors. The devoted Sarah sits by his side trying to comfort him while surrounding by delusional patients. A naked patient in the background believes that he is a king wearing a paper hat and holding a sceptre. At the time, aristocrats paid to visit the hospital. William Hogarth has conveyed a scene of irony as Tom, once believing to be an artistocrat has now become their entertainment.

(right- This is the engraving of the Bedlam scene, you can see so much more detail on the engraving compared to the painting above)


 * Marriage A-la Mode -

A Harlot's Progress -

Beer Street and Gin Lane

The Four Stages of Cruelty**