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Mentioned in 1 episodes
A Rake's Progress
Book •
A Rake's Progress is a sequence by William Hogarth chronicling the fall of Tom Rakewell, from inheritance to madness and ruin, first conceived as paintings and widely distributed through prints.
The series offered biting social commentary on vice, class, and moral failure, crafted to engage and instruct a broad public.
Hogarth's use of print editions allowed his imagery to circulate widely, establishing practices of editioning and artist-controlled distribution that increased both reach and income.
The narrative and visual detail made the series popular and enduring, influencing storytelling in art and print-based satire.
Its production underscores the economic and cultural role of prints in 18th-century visual culture.
The series offered biting social commentary on vice, class, and moral failure, crafted to engage and instruct a broad public.
Hogarth's use of print editions allowed his imagery to circulate widely, establishing practices of editioning and artist-controlled distribution that increased both reach and income.
The narrative and visual detail made the series popular and enduring, influencing storytelling in art and print-based satire.
Its production underscores the economic and cultural role of prints in 18th-century visual culture.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 1 episodes
Mentioned by 
Holly E.J. Black
Holly EJ Black, "The Story of Printmaking: A Global History of Art" (Yale UPs, 2026)
