The Harlot's Progress
1750
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1750
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
The Harlot's Progress is a 1750 by William Hogarth, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This print shows a crowded, messy room where people are eating, drinking, and arguing. A table in the center holds plates and cups, while one woman leans over it, reaching for food. Others stand or sit around, some looking bored or upset. A small boy sits alone on the floor, playing with a cat. The walls have a few small pictures, and light streams in through a window with diamond-shaped glass. The scene feels chaotic, with people dressed in old-fashioned clothes. The artist used strong contrasts between light and dark to make the figures stand out. Look up Hogarth, William to see more of his sharp, story-driven prints.
