Shrimps!

Art Historical Context

"Shrimps!" is a charming stipple engraving from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection, gifted in 1921. Created designs by the renowned British artist William Hogarth (1697–1764), it was published by his widow Jane Hogarth and Boydell and Co., with engraving by the masterful Italian Francesco Bartolozzi. Dated March 25, 1782, and reissued in 1790 as a third state printed in warm brown ink, this intimate sheet measures just 10 5/16 x 7 inches, perfect for a collector's cabinet. Stipple engraving, Bartolozzi's specialty, employs fine dots to build subtle tones and textures, lending a soft, painterly quality ideal for portraits. Here, it captures women in a lively, everyday moment—likely spirited fishwives or market vendors, as evoked by the exclamatory title. Hogarth, a pioneer of satirical and moralistic art, often celebrated ordinary London life amid social commentary, making this print a window into 18th-century street commerce and female resilience. This work's cultural spark lies in its blend of portraiture and genre scene, highlighting women's roles in urban trade. As a posthumous edition, it reflects Hogarth's enduring legacy, bridging fine art and popular print culture for a broad audience. A delightful nod to Britain's vibrant past! (198 words)

About the Artist

Jane Hogarth|Boydell and Co.|William Hogarth|Francesco Bartolozzi (British|British|British) · 1697 |1703 |1709 –1764 |1773 |1789

British, London 1697–1764 London|British, 1703–1773|British, 1709–1789