A Rake's Progress, Plate 5

Art Historical Context

**A Rake's Progress Plate 5** is the fifth installment in William Hogarth's iconic 1735 series of eight satirical prints, chronicling the tragic downfall of Tom Rakewell, a foolish heir who squanders his fortune on vice. Created in collaboration with Dr. John Hley, who contributed verses, this etching and engraving captures a pivotal moment: Tom's desperate marriage to a wealthy but elderly woman in a lavish interior, surrounded by family, clergy, a leering lawyer, and even a dog eyeing the chaos. Released on June 25, 1735, this third state of three reflects Hogarth's meticulous printmaking process, where etching allowed fluid lines and engraving added fine details for mass reproduction. Hogarth, a pioneer of English satirical art, drew from 18th-century London life to moralize against reckless ambition and social climbing. The bustling wedding scene brims with Hogarthian wit—exaggerated expressions, symbolic props like love letters and moneybags, and ironic contrasts between opulence and moral decay—making it a sharp critique of mercenary unions. Measuring 14 x 16⅛ inches, this print from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection exemplifies Hogarth's narrative genius, influencing later comic strips and moral tales. Today, it reminds us of Georgian society's obsessions with wealth and status, offering timeless lessons wrapped in visual humor. A gift from Mrs. Carl Joseph Ulmann in 1929, it invites visitors to decode its crowded drama.

About the Artist

William Hogarth|Dr. John Hoadley · 1697–1764

William Hogarth (1697-1764) was an English painter, printmaker, and pictorial satirist who became the first great English-born artist to attract admiration abroad. Born into poverty in London, the son of a failed schoolmaster who was imprisoned for debt, Hogarth's early experiences with the harsh realities of 18th-century urban life profoundly shaped his artistic vision. After apprenticing with si...