Artwork
A Harlot's Progress: pl.5
A Harlot's Progress: pl.5 is an ink print by the Baroque artist William Hogarth. It dates from 1732 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
William Hogarth’s *A Harlot’s Progress* plate 5, executed in 1732, is a print that combines etching and engraving techniques. It forms the fifth image in a six‑panel narrative series that follows a young woman’s descent through London’s vice‑filled underworld, illustrating the artist’s moral commentary on contemporary society.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures the prostitute in a disordered interior, her garments rumpled and hair untidy, suggesting a moment of personal crisis. Scattered objects—a mirror, a chair, a table—surround her, while a burning fireplace and curtained window complete the setting, emphasizing the chaos that follows a life of immorality.
Technique & Style
Hogarth employs a blend of etching for delicate line work and engraving for deeper shadows, allowing intricate detail in the furnishings and expressive facial features. The composition balances narrative clarity with satirical exaggeration, a hallmark of his visual storytelling.
History & Provenance
Created as part of Hogarth’s broader series of moral tales, the print follows the format of his earlier works such as *A Rake’s Progress* and *Marriage A‑la‑Mode*. The series was published in the early 1730s and circulated widely, influencing both contemporary and later print culture.
Context
The series reflects early‑18th‑century London’s preoccupation with public morality, using sequential imagery to warn against the perils of vice. Hogarth’s choice of a ‘modern moral subject’ aligns with the period’s growing interest in didactic art that addressed urban corruption.
Legacy
*A Harlot’s Progress* contributed to the development of narrative printmaking, establishing a template for later artists who combined social critique with sequential storytelling. Its influence persists in the study of visual satire and the history of British art.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Hogarth (; 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, engraver, satirist, cartoonist and writer.
