1721
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The South Sea Scheme is a 1721 ink by William Hogarth, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This picture is packed with chaos. A huge crowd of people pushes forward, some climbing over each other. At the center, a man lies on a stretcher while others fight or point at him. Above them, a tree holds a sign reading "Whole Ride." On the left, a devilish figure drags someone toward a shop with a glowing sign. In the background, a building burns, and a woman in fancy clothes watches from a balcony. The artist used sharp lines to show the mess. The text at the bottom explains what’s happening—it’s about greed and bad deals. The whole scene feels like a warning. Look up etching to see how artists like Hogarth carved these detailed lines.
William Hogarth (; 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, engraver, satirist, cartoonist and writer.
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