Genre, Stages of Cruelty, Sadism, Hogarth
Set of four Stages of Cruelty, Sadism, Hogarth
William Hogarth was an English artist. In his paintings and drawings he bluntly, brutally and pitiless
pointed out the shortcomings of British society of his time as he saw them. His work was reflecting his style of satire and social critic - very blunt. Hogarth was one of the most significant English artists of his time.
Set of four prints. Copper etchings by Thomas Cook (ca. 1744-1818).
After the drawing by William Hogarth (1697-1764)
The "Cook edition" was a copy of Hogarth's own first edition. Cook engraved Hogarth's entire edition in the years 1795-1803. All four prints of this set are dated 1799. Cook's edition was published in London, 1806
"First Stage of Cruelty" - Cruelty against animals
Text below image:
While various Scenes of sportive Woe
The Infant Race employ
And tortur'd Victims bleeding shew
The Tyrant in the Boy
Behold! A Youth of gentler Heart
To spare the Creature's pain
O' take, he cries - take all my Tart,
But Tears and Tart are vain
Lear from this fair Example - You
Whom savage Sports delight,
How Cruelty disgusts the view
While Pity charms the sight
Plate mark measurements. Image: Ca. 40 x 33 cm (ca. 15.7 x 13")
Sheet: 56 x 43 cm (ca. 22 x 17")
"Second Stage of Cruelty" - Cruelty against animals
Text below image:
The generous Steed in hoary Age
Subdu'd by Labour lies
And mourns a cruel Master's rage
While Nature Strength denies
The tender Lamb o'drove and faint
Amidst expiring Throws;
Bleats forth it's innocent complaint
And dies beneath the Blows.
Inhuman Wretch! say whence proceeds
This coward Cruelty
What Interest springs from barb'rous deeds?
What Joy from Misery
Plate mark measurements. Image: Ca. 40 x 33 cm (ca. 15.7 x 13")
Sheet: 56 x 43 cm (ca. 22 x 17")
*********
"Cruelty in Perfection" - Cut throat murder of a lady
Text below image:
To lawless Love when once betray'd
Soon Crime to Crime succeeds:
At length beguil'ed to Theft, the Maid
By her Beguiler bleeds
Yet learn, Seducing Man! nor Night
With all its sable Cloud
Can screen the guilty Deed from sight
Foul Murder cries aloud
The gaping Wounds and blood stain'd steel
Now shock his trembling Soul:
But Oh! what Pangs his Breast must feel,
When Death his Knell shall toll.
Plate mark measurements. Image: Ca. 40 x 33 cm (ca. 15.7 x 13")
Sheet: 56 x 43 cm (ca. 22 x 17")
***********
"The Reward of Cruelty"
Text below image:
Behold the Villain's dire disgrace!
Not Death itself can end
He finds no peaceful Burial-Place,
His breathless Corse, no friend
Torn from the Root, that wicked Tongue,
Which daily swore and cursed!
These Eyeballs from their Sockets wrung,
That glow'd with loveless Lust!
His Heart expos'd to prying Eyes,
To Pity has no Claim;
But, dreadful! from his Bones shall rise,
His Monument of Shame
Plate mark measurements. Image: Ca. 40 x 33 cm (ca. 15.7 x 13")
Sheet: 56 x 38,5 cm (ca. 22.4 x 15.2")
Stage 4: Please note the sheet sieze difference compared with the other three prints of the set!
**********
Condition: All four prints have ever so slightly general age toning. Minimal traces of age and use in margins. Stage 4: There is a small green ink spot in upper margin, just about an inch away from upper plate mark.
Stage 4: Please note the sheet sieze difference compared with the other three prints of the set!
This set belongs and sells together.
