Hogarth lived in London during a time when society was experiencing great growth and upheaval. Changes were happening everywhere, and not always for the good.

Hogarth used his platform as a popular painter and engraver to draw attention to some of the societal ills that were an everyday part of London life at the time.

Hogarth was born in London in 1694. His father was a Latin teacher and textbook author, and the family was quite poor.

Hogarth’s father spent some time in debtor’s prison, too, so he certainly had first hand experience with the life of the unfortunate in London.

Young William was apprenticed to an engraver and here he learned his trade. By 1720 he was doing engraving on his own, designing trade cards, shop bills, and the like.

He eventually found his niche with a series of paintings and engravings about “modern moral subjects”.

The first ones were “A Harlot’s Progress” and “A Rake’s Progress”. These were a series of paintings that were then published as engravings, detailing the descent of an innocent country girl into a life of prostitution that ultimately led to her early death and the corrupt life of a rich merchant’s son who squanders his fortune on vile entertainments and ends up in Bedlam.

“Marriage à-la-Mode” was his next subject; it was a series detailing the evils of the marriages of convenience that were popular amongst the upper classes of London at the time.

Hogarth died in 1764, leaving behind a large body of work, including quite a few portraits that are considered masterpieces. The house that Hogarth owned in London on Hogarth Lane in Chiswick is open to the public and the house garden has a mulberry tree that is over 300 years old.

William Hogarth paintings and engravings are quite valuable and some can be seen at Hogarth’s House.

Hogarth’s House

Address: Hogarth Lane, Chiswick, Great West Road, London W4 2QN

Telephone: 020 8994 6757

Opening Times

Tuesday to Sunday 13:00-16:00/17:00 or 18:00 (depending on the season).

Prices

Free.

Photo courtesy: tpholland

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