Time Smoking a Picture
William Hogarth, March 1761
About this artwork
William Hogarth's *Time Smoking a Picture*March 1761) is a witty etching and mezzotint capturing the English artist's signature satirical flair in its second state of three. just 9 3/16 x 7 3/16 inches, this compact print belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund 1932. Hogarth, a pioneering figure in 18th British art, was renowned for his moralistic series caricatures that skewered social vices, bridging Rococo elegance with sharp English commentary. The medium—etching combined with mezzotint—highlights Hogarth's innovative techniques. Mezzotint, which he championed, allowed for rich tonal gradations and velvety blacks, mimicking painting's depth in print form and making high art accessible to a broader audience via affordable reproductions. The title evokes a clever allegory: Father Time, personified, "smoking" a picture, blending themes of painting and tobacco in a nod to the era's cultural obsessions. Created late in Hogarth's career, it reflects his ongoing critique of art's fleeting nature amid London's booming print market and smoking culture. This gem offers visitors a glimpse into Hogarth's world, where humor unmasks time's relentless march on creativity. A must-see for fans of satirical prints!