William Blake after William Hogarth – Beggar’s Opera, Act III.
William Blake after William Hogarth – Beggar’s Opera, Act III. William Blake‘s (1757-1827) dramatic rendition, after Hogarth’s painting, of a performance of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera first performed at Lincon’s Inn Fields in 1728.
The scene is Newgate gaol, Polly Peachum, played by Lavinia Fenton afterwards Duchess of Bolton (1708-60), kneels on the floor to the left of the design, while Lucy played by Mrs Egleton also kneels, pleading for the life of Macheath, played by Thomas Walker (1698-1744), who stands centre stage, with arms folded, wearing manacles. The painting was purchased by the Tate Gallery, London in 1909
William Hogarth
William Hogarth, (born November 10, 1697, London, England—died October 26, 1764, London). The first great English-born artist to attract admiration abroad. Best known for his MORAL and satirical engravings and paintings—e.g., A Rake’s Progress (eight scenes,1733).
His attempts to build a reputation as a history painter and portraitist, however, met with financial disappointment. His aesthetic theories had more influence in Romantic literature than in painting.
