Hogarth's Works, with life and anecdotal descriptions of his pictures. Volume 3 (of 3)

In Short

This volume acts as both a biography and an annotated catalog of the prolific William Hogarth. It captures the artist’s sharp-witted critique of contemporary society through his engravings and paintings, while detailing his persistent struggles with patrons, rivals, and the broader art market. By weaving together personal narrative, letters, and descriptive accounts of his most famous prints, the book preserves the legacy of a man who used his art to expose hypocrisy and champion human decency, remaining a foundational text for understanding the intersection of art, commerce, and satire.

The Story

The narrative arc follows the life of William Hogarth, moving from his early, grueling days as an engraver struggling to maintain independence, to his emergence as a sharp-tongued social critic and moralist. Early sections detail his disdain for the "taste of the times"—a culture he saw as obsessed with superficial fads, foreign operas, and derivative art. Hogarth positions himself as an outsider, mocking figures like the architect William Kent and exposing the pretension of the elite, while simultaneously defending the integrity of his own craft.

As the book progresses, the focus shifts to Hogarth’s humanitarian efforts, most notably his deep involvement with the Foundling Hospital. His relationship with Captain Thomas Coram, a man of profound public spirit, highlights a softer, more compassionate side of the artist. Here, the text argues that Hogarth’s work was never merely about ridicule; it was a moral project aimed at promoting industry, protecting the vulnerable, and criticizing the systemic cruelty of the age.

The latter portion of the book charts the artist’s twilight years, defined by shifting alliances and political controversy. We see him navigating the messy waters of the London art scene, clashing with figures like John Wilkes and the poet Charles Churchill. These disputes, often played out through biting engravings, reveal a man who felt increasingly misunderstood, yet remained defiant. The narrative concludes with his final years—a period of declining health, financial anxiety, and a sense of detachment from the changing world. Yet, the tone remains one of legacy. The final chapters offer a meticulous chronological accounting of his works, serving as a permanent testament to an artist who, despite his constant battles with critics and his own "indifferent" fortune, remained committed to his vision until his death in 1764. The story is one of a life spent in the service of observation, where the canvas became a courtroom and the artist, both the judge and the jury, constantly weighing the virtues and vices of his contemporaries.

How It Unfolds

The struggle for autonomy Hogarth recounts his early, lean years as an engraver, emphasizing his pride in being a "punctual paymaster" despite the financial instability of the profession. He establishes his role as a critic, using his prints to expose the absurdity of the London theater and the rampant, hollow fashion of the day.

The battle of tastes The narrative examines the artist's rivalry with figures like William Kent and his deep-seated distaste for the elitist institutions that favored foreign over local talent. These chapters detail how his satirical prints were used as weapons to reclaim artistic credibility and mock the "popish foppery" he perceived in his peers' work.

A turn toward humanity The scope widens to include his charitable work, framing his portrait of Captain Thomas Coram as a centerpiece of his career. This section demonstrates how his art moved from purely biting satire to acts of social advocacy, grounding his reputation as a "moralist."

Artistic and political conflict The story enters its final act with the intense, public feuds involving politicians and writers, reflecting the volatility of his later years. The text captures his exhaustion as he faces off against former allies, providing an intimate look at the toll such battles took on his personal peace.

The final inventory The book closes with an expansive catalog of his prints, arranging his life’s work into a chronological record. This exhaustive list serves as a retrospective, organizing the chaotic production of his career into a coherent legacy for posterity.

The People

William Hogarth stands at the center as a man of fierce integrity, constantly battling against the mediocrity and vanity of the society he inhabits. He is defined by his "uncommon talents" and a deep-seated belief in the social responsibility of the artist. Opposing him are characters like the fashionable William Kent, whom Hogarth dismisses as a "contemptible painter," and figures like John Wilkes and Charles Churchill, whose political posturing and personal attacks turn the artist into an unlikely combatant in the public square. Captain Thomas Coram, by contrast, serves as the moral anchor of the work; his selfless dedication to the Foundling Hospital provides a necessary counterpoint to the cynicism of the art world, proving that Hogarth admired the same virtues he sought to cultivate in his audience.

In Its Own Voice

"Not Dedicated to any Prince in Christendom for fear it might be thought an Idle piece of Arrogance."

Hogarth explains in his preface why he chose to bypass the traditional patronage system by dedicating his work to "nobody."

"I have not wasted the little wealth of which I was formerly possessed in self-indulgence or vain expenses, and am not ashamed to confess that in this my old age I am poor."

Captain Thomas Coram offers this noble response when asked if he would be offended by a public subscription raised for his benefit.

"The ridiculous was apparent to every eye. A Brutus! a saviour of his country with such an aspect! was so arrant a farce, that, though it gave rise to much laughter in the lookers-on, galled both him and his adherents to the bone."

Hogarth describes the impact of his satirical portrait of a political rival, noting how the visual representation served to strip away the man's moral authority.

What It's Really About

The book is a meditation on the precarious status of the artist in a commercial society. It raises fundamental questions about the utility of art: should it merely entertain, or must it serve a moral function? Hogarth’s life acts as a case study for the struggle between individual genius and the "taste of the times," which he argues is often dictated by those with more money than sense. Ultimately, it explores the tension between being a public figure—subject to the whims of the press and the public—and maintaining one’s personal dignity. It is an argument for the artist as a vital, if often under-appreciated, custodian of national character and social conscience.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the messy, vibrant, and often petty dynamics of historical figures will find this volume deeply rewarding. It offers a rare, "behind-the-scenes" perspective on the art world of the 1700s, stripping away the polish of history to reveal the actual, often difficult, lives of those who created it. You will find it feels like peering into a private archive—it is packed with exhaustive lists, side-notes, and anecdotal letters that capture the texture of daily life for an eighteenth-century creative.

However, the book does not shy away from the realities of its period. The prose is densely layered and reflects the formal, sometimes ornate, writing style of the late eighteenth century, which can require a slower, more deliberate pace. Furthermore, the political and social grievances that fueled Hogarth’s satires often rely on a specific knowledge of long-forgotten figures and events. While the text provides context, the modern reader may occasionally feel the distance of centuries. Yet, what lingers is the portrait of the artist as an embattled, passionate human being. If you value the story of a man who held his ground against a society he found hypocritical, you will find this an essential, if demanding, piece of history.