Cruelty in Perfection

1751

William Hogarth

Associated Names
William Hogarth

Artist, English, 1697 - 1764

This is a drawing of multiple figures gathered around a building and a person on the ground. The setting is outdoors at night, with a clock tower in the background displaying the time as 1:05. Some figures are holding objects, such as pitchforks and lanterns. A paper, a lantern, and a chest are on the ground. A crescent moon and an owl are visible in the sky. The title "CRUELTY IN PERFECTION" is written at the top.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and engraving

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 38.5 × 31.7 cm (15 3/16 × 12 1/2 in.)
    mount: 62.9 × 45.5 cm (24 3/4 × 17 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1944.5.38

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Paulson 1965, no. 189, State only?

  • Series Title

    The Four Stages of Cruelty

Associated Artworks

See all 114 artworks
The image depicts an engraving of a seated man facing slightly to the right with his body turned slightly to the left. The man has prominent facial features, including large eyes, a prominent nose, and a closed mouth. He wears a fur hat, a dark coat, and a buttoned shirt with a white collar. A pug dog sits beside him, facing the viewer. Objects like books, an artist's palette, brushes, and a cloth are scattered around them. In the background is a draped curtain, and at the bottom is the inscription "Gulielmus Hogarth."

Gulielmus Hogarth

William Hogarth

1748

Collected Works of William Hogarth

William Hogarth

1697

This is a drawing of character profiles and caricatures. The drawing consists of profiles of faces depicted in a stylized manner on one side, and as exaggerated caricatures on the other side. Varying facial expressions and features are shown, with a row dividing the characters and caricatures to illustrate the difference through levels of exaggeration.

Characters and Caricaturas

William Hogarth

1743

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1967

  • William Hogarth, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA, 1967.

Bibliography

1965

  • Paulson, Ronald. Hogarth's Graphic Works. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1965. Rev. ed., 1970.

Wikidata ID

Q65026805

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