Credulity, Superstition, and Fanaticism

1762

William Hogarth

Associated Names
William Hogarth

Artist, English, 1697 - 1764

This is a drawing depicting a crowded room during a religious or spiritual gathering. A preacher is at the center of the scene, gesturing upwards and holding a small figure. Behind him, a demon and an angel are shown. The crowd below shows a range of reactions, from distress to enthusiasm or skepticism. The image is full of symbolism and exaggerated expressions. The style resembles that of William Hogarth, known for satirical engravings. The title at the bottom is "Credulity, Superstition, and Fanaticism. A Medley."

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and engraving

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 43.3 × 32.7 cm (17 1/16 × 12 7/8 in.)
    mount (irreg.): 62.7 × 43.5 cm (24 11/16 × 17 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1944.5.83

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Paulson 1965, no. 210

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

Bibliography

1965

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

Wikidata ID

Q65026913

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