Cruelty in Perfection

1750

John Bell, after William Hogarth

Associated Names
John Bell

Artist, British, active 1750s

William Hogarth

Artist After, English, 1697 - 1764

This is a black and white drawing of a chaotic scene in a town at night. The detailed image features people gathered outdoors under a crescent moon. A woman lies on the ground in front of them next to various objects including a lantern, a bag, papers, and bottles. One paper reads, "Here Lieth the Body." The figures show expressions of confusion, panic, or distress with one pointing and others conversing. The background shows a tall brick building, trees, and a distant building. The scene suggests an alarming event among the onlookers.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut on thick laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Purchased as the Gift of Ann and Matthew Nimetz

  • Dimensions

    block: 44.6 × 37 cm (17 9/16 × 14 9/16 in.)
    sheet: 52.1 × 70.8 cm (20 1/2 × 27 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.2.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Paulson 1989, no. 189/1

  • Series Title

    The Four Stages of Cruelty

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Andrew Edmunds, London); purchased 2012 by NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2019

  • Hogarth: Cruelty and Humor, The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, 2019.

Bibliography

1989

  • Paulson, Ronald. Hogarth's Graphic Works. Third edition. London, 1989: no. 189/1

Inscriptions

in image, in letter: Dear Tommy / Do not fail to / meet me in the Church yard as / you... / ... Ann Gill; lower left in image: J. Bell sculp. inv. & Publish'd / by Wm Hogarth / Jany. 1st 1750 / Comn Prayer God's / Revenge / Against / Murderers

Wikidata ID

Q76560925

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