William Hogarth – Industry and Idleness

William Hogarth – Industry and Idleness

Hogarth’s famous moral tale (first published 1747) of the contrasting careers of the idle and the industrious apprentices.

Idle turns to robbery and murder, is betrayed by a prostitute and eventually ends up being hung at Tyburn, while Goodchild works hard, marries his master’s daughter and becomes Lord Mayor of London.

These prints were often given to apprentices by their masters for Christmas presents. The copperplates of this set were recently purchased by the British Museum.

1. The Fellow ‘Prentices at their Looms

Paulson 168, state II/II.

2. The Industrious ‘Prentice Performing the Duty of a Christian

Paulson 169, state II/II

3. The Idle ‘Prentice at Play in the Churchyard

Paulson 170, state II/II

4. The Industrious ‘Prentice a Favorite and Entrusted by his Master

Paulson 171, state II/II

5. The Idle ‘Prentice Turned Away and sent to Sea

Paulson 172, state II/II

6. The Industrious ‘Prentice out of his Time and Married to his Master’s Daughter

Paulson 173, state V/V

7. The Idle ‘Prentice Returned from Sea and in a Garret with a Common Prostitute

Paulson 174, state II/II

8. The Industrious ‘Prentice Grown Rich and Sherrif of London

Paulson 175, state II/II

9. The Idle ‘Prentice Betrayed by his Whore and taken in a Night Cellar with his Accomplice

Paulson 176, state IV/IV

10. The Industrious ‘Prentice Alderman of London, the Idle one brought before him & Impeach’d by his Accomplices

Paulson 177, state II/II

11. The Idle ‘Prentice Executed at Tyburn

Paulson 178, state III/III

12. The Industrious ‘Prentice Lord Mayor of London

Paulson 178, state III/III

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.

See full William Hogarth catalogue here