1762
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Credulity, Superstition, and Fanaticism is a 1762 ink by William Hogarth, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This chaotic scene crams a room with wild, exaggerated figures. A man in the center holds a sign reading *"Credulity, Superstition, and Fanaticism."* Around him, people clutch books, scream, or collapse—some even talk to angels or demons. The walls are packed with clocks, cages, and strange symbols, while a list of emotions like *"Madness"* and *"Despair"* hangs nearby. A dog sniffs a woman’s skirts, and a man on the floor clutches a broken violin. The title at the bottom calls out fake beliefs and blind faith, using humor and chaos to make its point. The tiny, crowded details—like the clock showing "Noon" and "Midnight" at once—hint at time running out of control. Next, check out etching, drypoint, aquatint to see how artists like Hogarth carved these sharp, layered lines.
William Hogarth (; 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, engraver, satirist, cartoonist and writer.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
