Gravure

William Hogarth, born in 1697 in London, died in 1764 in London, was an English painter, graphic artist and cartoonist. Hogarth learned from a goldsmith in 1712 and established himself in 1718 as an independent copper cutter. Alternating with his more artisanal activities, he stack figurative scenes as single leaves or whole series and soon revealed their satirical talent. In 1728 he became a pupil of James Thornhill, and later married his daughter. Hogarth subsequently painted minor genre images, often depicting scenes from popular drama, such as the Tiggars opera. Soon, however, he found his own special shape, that is, the picture cycle, which he first painted in oil and then himself stack or let knit in copper. These images have a highly satirical content and a strong dramatic form in conscious connection with the performing arts. The subject of his satire is generally maladministration within society in its higher and lower strata. His most famous comics are The history of a girl of joy (The Harlot “s Progress, 1731), The history of a rumbler (The Rake” s Progress, 1735), and the marriage in vogue (Mariage à la mode, 1745).