William Hogarth
English, 1697–1764
From the series, A Harlot's Progress
"A Harlot’s Progress" was one of several series of engravings made by Hogarth that were highly influential in the development of printmaking in Europe as well as England. He was one of the first visual artists to address the social inequities suffered by the lower classes, the morally bankrupt behavior of members of the aristocracy, and the exploitation of women at all levels of 18th-century society. The main character in Harlot’s Progress—a fictional girl named Moll Hackabout— experienced circumstances then common in 18th century London: the fate of a country girl who arrived in the metropolis of London, and was then preyed upon by unscrupulous characters who exploited her youth and naiveté.
A victim of her disease, Moll lies in her coffin surrounded by a varied collection of those who seem more engaged with each other and the strong drink than in the deceased. Only one young woman, who seems yet untouched by disease or ravaged by a hard life, looks down upon Moll with sympathy. The young boy sits at the base of his mother’s coffin playing with a toy top.
English, 1697–1764
A Harlot's Progress, Plate 6
1732From the series, A Harlot's Progress
Object Type:
Print
Creation Place:
Northern Europe, English, London
Dimensions:
12 1/8 x 14 7/8 in. (31 x 38 cm)
Medium and Support:
Etching and engraving on laid paper
Accession Number:
2018.0005.0006.0006
Credit Line:
Gift of the Weil Print Endowment in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Weil, Sr.
"A Harlot’s Progress" was one of several series of engravings made by Hogarth that were highly influential in the development of printmaking in Europe as well as England. He was one of the first visual artists to address the social inequities suffered by the lower classes, the morally bankrupt behavior of members of the aristocracy, and the exploitation of women at all levels of 18th-century society. The main character in Harlot’s Progress—a fictional girl named Moll Hackabout— experienced circumstances then common in 18th century London: the fate of a country girl who arrived in the metropolis of London, and was then preyed upon by unscrupulous characters who exploited her youth and naiveté.
A victim of her disease, Moll lies in her coffin surrounded by a varied collection of those who seem more engaged with each other and the strong drink than in the deceased. Only one young woman, who seems yet untouched by disease or ravaged by a hard life, looks down upon Moll with sympathy. The young boy sits at the base of his mother’s coffin playing with a toy top.
Related Objects
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A Harlot's Progress, Plate 1
2018.0005.0006.0001
A Harlot's Progress, Plate 2
2018.0005.0006.0002
A Harlot's Progress, Plate 3
2018.0005.0006.0003
A Harlot's Progress, Plate 4
2018.0005.0006.0004
A Harlot's Progress, Plate 5
2018.0005.0006.0005
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