William Hogarth – The Lottery
William Hogarth – The Lottery
First published in 1724, this plate has long been regarded as a sister engraving to the South Sea Scheme.
State lotteries to raise money for important national projects, under the authority of Parliament, were held at intervals between 1694 – 1826. Tickets in the 1720’s were priced at £10 and as many as 80,000 prizes were given from £100,000 to £20.
This allegorical view shows the stage at the Guildhall, with lots being drawn from giant lottery wheels. On the left, Wantonness, depicted as half man and half woman, with a windmill in her hand, draws lots, while on the right is Fortune, blindfolded and standing on her famous wheel.
At the centre is Suspense on a turnstile, alternately turned by Hope and Fear.
On the left Misfortune has a drawn a Blank, and is directed by Minerva (Wisdom) towards Industry with her spinning wheel on the floor, while Sloth, with a snail crawling up his back to symbolise inactivity, hides his head in a curtain.
On the right Good Luck has won a prize, but is already being tempted away by Folly in cap and bells and Pleasure, naked and a satyr at her elbow.
A philosopher with his books of Poetry, History and Divinity is shown sinking through the weak floor. Paulson 53 final state.
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.
