Martin Folkes

Art Historical Context

Behold William Hogarth's *Martin Folkes* (1742), a etching and engraving from the fourth and final state of four. Measuring 13 3/8 x 9 5/16 inches, this print captures the likeness of Martin Folkes, prominent English antiquarian and intellectual, in a detailed portrait that exemplifies Hogarth's mastery of medium. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Drawings and Prints department, was acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 2. Hogarth, a pioneering 18th-century British artist known for his satirical narratives and moralistic scenes, here shifts to portraiture, showcasing his technical prowess in etching and engraving. These techniques allowed for intricate line work and tonal depth, making high-quality reproductions affordable and widely accessible—revolutionizing how art reached the public during the Enlightenment era. The "fourth state" refers to the most refined edition, often with added details or corrections, highlighting the iterative artistry of printmaking. This work immortalizes Folkes amid a vibrant intellectual scene, blending portrait tradition with Hogarth's observational sharpness. A testament to Georgian England's cultural flourishing, it invites us to ponder the faces behind history's ideas.

About the Artist

William Hogarth|Martin Folkes · 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...