Satire on False Perspective: Frontispiece to "Kirby's Perspective"
February 1754
Medium
Etching and engraving; second state of two
Dimensions
image: 8 1/8 x 6 13/16 in. (20.6 x 17.3 cm) plate: 8 7/8 x 7 1/4 in. (22.6 x 18.4 cm) sheet: 9 3/8 x 8 in. (23.8 x 20.3 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Sarah Lazarus, 1891
Accession Number
91.1.33
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the witty world of 18th British satire with *Satire on False Perspective Frontispiece to "by's Perspective"*, created February 1754 by Hogarth, with assistance from Luke Sullivan and Kirby. Hogarth, a master of moralistic engravings and founder of the British Rococo style, crafted this etching and engraving as the introductory image for Kirby's influential treatise on linear perspective—a practical guide for artists aiming to master accurate spatial representation. This second state of two impressions highlights Hogarth's sharp critique of artistic incompetence, using exaggerated distortions to mock "false perspective." The print buzzes with humorous chaos: wonky bridges teetering impossibly, boats defying logic on water, fishermen in absurd poses, and animals adding to the mayhem. Through these tags of everyday life twisted into visual nonsense, Hogarth exposes the pitfalls of poor draughtsmanship, urging viewers toward Kirby's methodical techniques. Etching and engraving allowed for intricate line work and wide distribution, making such satires accessible to a broad audience beyond elite circles. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Sarah Lazarus, 1891), this 8 1/8 x 6 13/16-inch gem remains a cultural touchstone, blending education with entertainment. It reminds us that art's power lies not just in beauty, but in clever instruction—perfect for sparking a laugh and a lesson on perspective's enduring importance.
About the Artist
William Hogarth|Luke Sullivan|Joshua Kirby · 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...