1726
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Cunicularii, or The Wise Men of Godliman in Consultation is a 1726 ink by William Hogarth, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a chaotic group of seven people in a dim, cluttered room. One man in a robe kneels by a hole in the floor, peering down while others argue or gesture wildly around him. A woman in a dress holds a lantern, and another man in fancy clothes points dramatically. The walls are uneven, and the scene feels cramped and messy. The title calls it an "allegory," meaning it’s not just a scene but a story with hidden meaning—likely mocking people who dig too deep for secrets. The artist used sharp lines and shading to make the chaos feel real. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Hogarth carved images into metal plates.
William Hogarth (; 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, engraver, satirist, cartoonist and writer.
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