Artwork
The Company of Undertakers
The Company of Undertakers is an ink print by the Baroque artist William Hogarth. It dates from 1736 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Company of Undertakers is a satirical print created by William Hogarth in 1736, combining etching and engraving techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic gathering of figures, some holding tools or instruments, surrounded by dark edges. The title and accompanying text, filled with terms like 'Quack-Heads,' suggest a satirical commentary on pretentious or fake experts, likely targeting quack doctors.
Technique & Style
Hogarth employed etching and engraving to create the detailed, narrative-rich print, characteristic of his style that blends visual storytelling with social critique.
Context
The work is part of Hogarth's oeuvre that includes narrative sequences like A Harlot's Progress and Marriage A-la-Mode, influencing later caricatures. It reflects his lower-middle-class London background and his development from an apprentice engraver to a prominent satirical artist.
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Artist & collection
Artist
William Hogarth (; 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, engraver, satirist, cartoonist and writer.
