William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)

William Hogarth was born in London in December 1697 and educated at St. Bees college, Westmoreland. In 1712 he settled in London where he became apprentice engraver to Ellis Gamble. By 1720 he was working independently as an illustrator. In his spare time Hogarth undertook the study of painting techniques most notably with Sir James Thornhill as his mentor, and by 1730 he had established himself as a portrait painter. In conjunction with this, Hogarth began to hone his skills as a satirist. He started to produce sets of picaresque images lampooning the behaviour and values of society. It was these pictures, termed 'Modern Moral Subjects' which had such influence on British printmaking and as a result of this Hogarth became acknowledged as one of the most important British artists of the eighteenth century. Most famously; 'The Rake's Progress', 'The Harlot's Progress', 'Marriage a la Mode' and 'The Election'.
Hogarth's work laid down strong foundations for future satirists the likes of Gillray and Rowlandson to build upon.

It was also partly down to Hogarth that the copyright act for engravers of 1735 was put into place. Due it its popularity, his work was so widely forged that Hogarth resorted to lobbying for his rights. This led to the eventual establishment of the law.

Hogarth was also influential in other ways, the publication of 'Beer Street' and 'Gin Lane' exaggeratedly illustrating the abuse of spirits by the poor, 'The subjects...are calculated to reform some reigning Vices perculiar to the lower class of people' (Hogarth), were instrumental in the success of the Fielding brothers to get the Gin Act passed in 1751 regulating the sale of alcohol.

Each series of pictures was produced with the intent that they would be reproduced in print, this made them more widely available so adding to their popularisation.

It is worth mentioning that Heath was the last publisher to print directly from Hogarth's original engraved plates. All 'Hogarth' prints appearing after this date are merely copies of these original graphic works of art.

Hogarth's engravings are said to have influenced the writings of Henry Fielding and W.H. Auden with humour and sharp wit cutting through hard morality.