Hogarth << HOH gahrth >>, William (1697-1764), was the leading English satirical painter of the 1700’s. He was also a noted engraver and art critic. Hogarth became best known for paintings and engravings that humorously commented on manners and morals of his time.
Hogarth created several series of paintings that told a story through a number of related scenes. These series include the eight paintings that make up A Rake’s Progress (early 1730’s) and the six paintings in Marriage à la Mode (1743). Hogarth made engravings of both series. The sale of these engravings made him wealthy.
Hogarth was born on Nov. 10, 1697, in London. He was trained to be a silversmith but decided to devote himself to fine art. Hogarth carefully studied the masters of Flemish, French, and Italian painting, but he was also inspired by the life he observed around him.
Hogarth first gained success as a painter with a picture based on The Beggar’s Opera (1728), a musical play about criminals and corrupt public officials in London. This painting launched him on a career as a painter of comic scenes of everyday life. Hogarth also painted many realistic, often unflattering, portraits that reflected the artist’s strong sense of color and his powers of observation.
Hogarth was a controversial and outspoken art critic whose opinions angered many of his fellow artists. He wrote one book, The Analysis of Beauty (1753), which combined practical advice on painting with his own theories of art. He died on Oct. 25 or 26, 1764.
