Artwork
A Rake's Progress: pl.2
A Rake's Progress: pl.2 is an ink print by the Baroque artist William Hogarth. It dates from 1735 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. A Rake's Progress: pl.
About this work
Overview
A Rake's Progress: pl.2 is an etching and engraving by William Hogarth, created in 1735 as the second installment of an eight-part series chronicling the downfall of Tom Rakewell.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic, indulgent scene centered on Tom Rakewell, whose disheveled yet fancy attire and distressed expression signify the initial stages of his moral decline amidst revelry and excess.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching and engraving, the work showcases Hogarth's technical proficiency in these mediums, characteristic of his 'modern moral subjects' series, which employed sequential narrative to critique 18th-century social behaviors.
History & Provenance
Part of a renowned series including A Harlot’s Progress and Marriage A-la-Mode, this work solidified Hogarth's leadership in British art, influencing subsequent satirical and political illustration.
Context
Reflecting Hogarth's roots in London's lower-middle class and his training as an engraver, the series critiques the social excesses of the time, speaking to both the artist's background and the broader societal commentary of his era.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Hogarth (; 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, engraver, satirist, cartoonist and writer.
