DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61480#0010
THE LIFE OF HOGARTH.
that print), a copy of it was shown by one of the lords, as containing,
among other excellences, a striking likeness of Sir John Gonson, a cele-
brated magistrate of that day, well known for his rigour towards women
of the town. From the Treasury each lord repaired to the print-shop for
a copy of it, and Hogarth rose completely into fame.
Upwards of twelve hundred subscribers entered their names for the
plates, which were copied and imitated on fan mounts, and in a variety of
other forms; and a pantomime taken from them was represented at the
theatre. This performance, together witli several subsequent ones of a
similar kind, have placed Hogarth in the rare class of original geniuses
and inventors. He may be said to have created an entirely new species of
painting, which may be termed the moral comic; and may be considered
rather as a writer of comedy with a pencil, than as a painter. If catching
the manners and follies of an age, living as they rise—if general satire on
vices;—and ridicule familiarised by strokes of Nature, and heightened by
wit,—and the whole animated by proper and just expressions of the pas-
sions,—be comedy, Hogarth composed comedies as much as Moliere.
Soon after his marriage, Hogarth resided at South Lambeth; and being
intimate witli Mr. Tyers, the then spirited proprietor of Vauxhall Gar-
dens, he contributed much to the improvement of those gardens; and first
suggested the hint of embellishing them with paintings, some of which
were the productions of his own comic pencil. Among the paintings were
"The Four Parts of the Day," either by Hogarth, or after his designs.
Two years after the publication of his " Harlot's Progress," appeared
the "Rake's Progress," which, Lord Orford remarks, (though perhaps supe-
rior,) " had not so much success, for want of notoriety : nor is the print of
the Arrest equal in merit to the others." The curtain, however, was now
drawn aside, and his genius stood displayed in its full lustre.
The Rake's Progress was followed by several works in series, viz.
" Marriage a-la-Mode, Industry and Idleness, the Stages of Cruelty, and
Election Prints." To these may be added, a great number of single comic
pieces, all of which present a rich source of amusement:—such as, " The
March to Finchley, Modern Midnight Conversation, the Sleeping Congre-
gation, the Gates of Calais, Gin Lane, Beer Street, Strolling Players in a
Barn, the Lecture, Laughing Audience, Enraged Musician," &c. &c.
which, being introduced and described in the subsequent part of this
work, it would far exceed the limits, necessarily assigned to these brief
memoirs, here minutely to characterise.
that print), a copy of it was shown by one of the lords, as containing,
among other excellences, a striking likeness of Sir John Gonson, a cele-
brated magistrate of that day, well known for his rigour towards women
of the town. From the Treasury each lord repaired to the print-shop for
a copy of it, and Hogarth rose completely into fame.
Upwards of twelve hundred subscribers entered their names for the
plates, which were copied and imitated on fan mounts, and in a variety of
other forms; and a pantomime taken from them was represented at the
theatre. This performance, together witli several subsequent ones of a
similar kind, have placed Hogarth in the rare class of original geniuses
and inventors. He may be said to have created an entirely new species of
painting, which may be termed the moral comic; and may be considered
rather as a writer of comedy with a pencil, than as a painter. If catching
the manners and follies of an age, living as they rise—if general satire on
vices;—and ridicule familiarised by strokes of Nature, and heightened by
wit,—and the whole animated by proper and just expressions of the pas-
sions,—be comedy, Hogarth composed comedies as much as Moliere.
Soon after his marriage, Hogarth resided at South Lambeth; and being
intimate witli Mr. Tyers, the then spirited proprietor of Vauxhall Gar-
dens, he contributed much to the improvement of those gardens; and first
suggested the hint of embellishing them with paintings, some of which
were the productions of his own comic pencil. Among the paintings were
"The Four Parts of the Day," either by Hogarth, or after his designs.
Two years after the publication of his " Harlot's Progress," appeared
the "Rake's Progress," which, Lord Orford remarks, (though perhaps supe-
rior,) " had not so much success, for want of notoriety : nor is the print of
the Arrest equal in merit to the others." The curtain, however, was now
drawn aside, and his genius stood displayed in its full lustre.
The Rake's Progress was followed by several works in series, viz.
" Marriage a-la-Mode, Industry and Idleness, the Stages of Cruelty, and
Election Prints." To these may be added, a great number of single comic
pieces, all of which present a rich source of amusement:—such as, " The
March to Finchley, Modern Midnight Conversation, the Sleeping Congre-
gation, the Gates of Calais, Gin Lane, Beer Street, Strolling Players in a
Barn, the Lecture, Laughing Audience, Enraged Musician," &c. &c.
which, being introduced and described in the subsequent part of this
work, it would far exceed the limits, necessarily assigned to these brief
memoirs, here minutely to characterise.