DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61480#0009
THE LIFE OF HOGARTH.
said to bear great likenesses to the persons so drawn, and to be rather
better coloured than some of his more finished performances. Grace,
however, was no attribute of his pencil; and he was more disposed to
aggravate, than to soften the harsh touches of Nature.
A curious anecdote is recorded of our artist during the early part of
his practice as a portrait painter. A nobleman, who was uncommonly
ugly and deformed, sat for his picture, which was executed in his happiest
manner, and with singularly rigid fidelity. The peer, disgusted at this
counterpart of his dear self, was not disposed very readily to pay for a
reflector that would only insult him with his deformities. After some time
had elapsed, and numerous unsuccessful applications had been made for
payment, the painter resorted to an expedient, which he knew must alarm
the nobleman's pride. He sent him the following card :—" Mr. Hogarth's
dutiful respects to Lord -; finding that he does not mean to have the
picture which was drawn for him, is informed again of Mr. Hogarth's
pressing necessities for the money. If, therefore, his lordship does not
send for it in three days, it will be disposed of, with the addition of a tail
and some other appendages, to Mr. Hare, the famous wild beast man;
Mr. H. having given that gentleman a conditional promise on his lord-
ship's refusal." This intimation had its desired effect; the picture was
paid for, and committed to the flames.
Hogarth's talents, however, for original comic design, gradually un-
folded themselves, and various public occasions produced displays of his
ludicrous powers.
In the year 1730, he clandestinely married the only daughter of Sir
James Thornhill, the painter, who was not easily reconciled to her union
with an obscure artist, as Hogarth then comparatively was. Shortly after,
he commenced his first great series of moral paintings, " The Harlot's
Progress :" some of these were, at Lady Thornhill’s suggestion, designedly
placed by Mrs. Hogarth in her father's way, in order to reconcile him to
her marriage. Being informed by whom they were executed, Sir James
observed, "The man who can produce such representations as these, can
also maintain a wife without a portion." He soon after, however, relented,
and became generous to the young couple, with whom he lived in great
harmony until his death, which took place in 1733.
In 1733 his genius became conspicuously known. The third scene
of " The Harlot's Progress" introduced him to the notice of the great: at a
Board of Treasury, (which was held a day or two after the appearance of
said to bear great likenesses to the persons so drawn, and to be rather
better coloured than some of his more finished performances. Grace,
however, was no attribute of his pencil; and he was more disposed to
aggravate, than to soften the harsh touches of Nature.
A curious anecdote is recorded of our artist during the early part of
his practice as a portrait painter. A nobleman, who was uncommonly
ugly and deformed, sat for his picture, which was executed in his happiest
manner, and with singularly rigid fidelity. The peer, disgusted at this
counterpart of his dear self, was not disposed very readily to pay for a
reflector that would only insult him with his deformities. After some time
had elapsed, and numerous unsuccessful applications had been made for
payment, the painter resorted to an expedient, which he knew must alarm
the nobleman's pride. He sent him the following card :—" Mr. Hogarth's
dutiful respects to Lord -; finding that he does not mean to have the
picture which was drawn for him, is informed again of Mr. Hogarth's
pressing necessities for the money. If, therefore, his lordship does not
send for it in three days, it will be disposed of, with the addition of a tail
and some other appendages, to Mr. Hare, the famous wild beast man;
Mr. H. having given that gentleman a conditional promise on his lord-
ship's refusal." This intimation had its desired effect; the picture was
paid for, and committed to the flames.
Hogarth's talents, however, for original comic design, gradually un-
folded themselves, and various public occasions produced displays of his
ludicrous powers.
In the year 1730, he clandestinely married the only daughter of Sir
James Thornhill, the painter, who was not easily reconciled to her union
with an obscure artist, as Hogarth then comparatively was. Shortly after,
he commenced his first great series of moral paintings, " The Harlot's
Progress :" some of these were, at Lady Thornhill’s suggestion, designedly
placed by Mrs. Hogarth in her father's way, in order to reconcile him to
her marriage. Being informed by whom they were executed, Sir James
observed, "The man who can produce such representations as these, can
also maintain a wife without a portion." He soon after, however, relented,
and became generous to the young couple, with whom he lived in great
harmony until his death, which took place in 1733.
In 1733 his genius became conspicuously known. The third scene
of " The Harlot's Progress" introduced him to the notice of the great: at a
Board of Treasury, (which was held a day or two after the appearance of