Artwork
A Rake's Progress: pl.6
A Rake's Progress: pl.6 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.6 is a print from a series of eight etchings and engravings created by William Hogarth in 1735.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts Tom Rakewell in a crowded prison cell, surrounded by fellow inmates and guards, conveying a sense of desperation and moral downfall. The scene illustrates the consequences of the protagonist's poor decisions, serving as a cautionary tale.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in etching and engraving, techniques that Hogarth mastered during his apprenticeship. The detailed rendering of the prison scene showcases his skill in using these mediums to convey a narrative.
Context
A Rake's Progress is part of Hogarth's 'modern moral subjects,' a series of works critiquing social behavior through sequential imagery. The series reflects Hogarth's satirical perspective on the societal issues of his time.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Hogarth (; 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, engraver, satirist, cartoonist and writer.
