1724
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A Just View of the British Stage is a 1724 ink by William Hogarth, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This crowded scene shows a chaotic stage filled with skeletons, actors, and odd characters. A ghost labeled "Ben Jonson’s Ghost" lurks in the corner, while a group of people in costumes perform on a rickety set. The title at the top reads like a joke: *"Three Heads are better than one."* Text below promises a wild show with "Scaramouch Jack Hall" and "the Chimney Sweepers Esquire." The artist used a mix of humor and dark satire to mock theater. The skeletons and messy stage hint at how fake performances were seen back then. Check out etching to see how artists like Hogarth made sharp, detailed prints.
William Hogarth (; 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, engraver, satirist, cartoonist and writer.
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