William Hogarth (10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English artist, printmaker, a social critic and is widely known today as a founder of sequential art. His famous satirical and moral caricatures have later developed into cartoons. By overcoming particular difficulties in personal and professional lives, the artist reached great success and influenced the future culture.
Hogarth was born in London in a middle-class family of a school teacher and a textbook writer. Demonstrating the talent in painting, he began to work as an apprentice of the engraver Ellis Gamble at the age of sixteen. Shortly afterward, he started producing his own engraved works. Feeling the lack of experience, Hogarth started attending the James Thornhill’s Academy of Art, where he enhanced his artistic skills. During this period, Hogarth met his future wife Jane, the daughter of James Thornhill who was against the marriage and accepted Hogarth only after his success as an artist.
Since 1730 Hogarth started producing “modern morality” paintings. These were the series of three to six paintings presenting a sequential narrative. In 1730-1731, he produced Harlot’s and Rake’s Progresses, two series of his first “moral” works that led him to recognition. In 1745, the world saw the famous Marriage à-la-mode, followed by Industry and Idleness in 1747, Beer Street and Gin Lane and The Four Stages of Cruelty in 1751, Election in 1755, and so on. In his works, Hogarth focused his attention on the scandalous events in politics and elite’s life in 18th century. These themes were satirically depicted in his works.
Hogarth’s works have influenced the culture to a great extent. Many films, ballet and opera performances are based on his works. For example, in 1935, Ninette de Valois produced the ballet performance based on the Rake’s Progress series. The Rake’s Progress Opera (written by Igor Stravinsky) and the Bedlam movie (directed by Mark Robson) were also inspired by Hogarth’s works.