The Battle of the Pictures

1744/1745

William Hogarth

Associated Names
William Hogarth

Artist, English, 1697 - 1764

This is a drawing with various pictures floating and placed near a building. Several pictures are propped by sticks. The drawing depicts an imaginative scene where various artworks are scattered around. Some appear to hover or fly out of a doorway of a pyramid-shaped structure with a weather vane. The images within the drawing include allegorical and narrative scenes, with mythological and historical references. In the foreground, there is a series of frames lined up domino-style along a path. Near the bottom, a paper is labeled "The Battle of the Pictures." There is also text along the top that indicates an association with the sale of Hogarth's pictures. The composition is rich with detail and uses line work to create depth and texture.

Media Options

This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 19.7 x 21.3 cm (7 3/4 x 8 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1944.5.120

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Paulson 1965, no. 163, State only

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

Q65026983

You may be interested in

Loading Results