Artwork
The Bench
The Bench is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Hogarth. It dates from 1758 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Bench is a 1758 print by William Hogarth, created using etching and engraving techniques. It showcases the artist's satirical style and exploration of contemporary societal themes.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a collection of facial sketches, ranging from rough to detailed, with an exaggerated portrait at the center. The accompanying text discusses the distinction between 'character' and 'caricature' in drawing, highlighting varying approaches to representation.
Technique & Style
Hogarth employed etching and engraving to produce The Bench, techniques he mastered as an apprentice engraver. The work's sketchy and varied style reflects his experimentation with different representational modes.
Context
The Bench is part of Hogarth's broader oeuvre, which critiqued 18th-century British society through satire and narrative series. His work often blended observation with moral commentary, influencing the development of 'Hogarthian' satire.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Hogarth (; 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, engraver, satirist, cartoonist and writer.
