Cruelty in perfection [graphic]
Found In:
Lewis Walpole Library > Cruelty in perfection [graphic]
Description
- Title
- Cruelty in perfection [graphic]
- Creator
- Hogarth, William, 1697-1764, printmaker
- Contributor
- Hogarth, William, 1697-1764, artist.
- Published / Created
- published according to act of Parliament, Feb. 1, 1751.
- Publication Place
- London
- Publisher
- Wm. Hogarth
- Abstract
-
Tom Nero, now a highwayman, has been arrested for the murder. He stands in the churchyard over the body of his pregnant lover, Ann Gill, whose throat and wrist are severed. One from the group of men who have apprehended Tom show him the knife as the others restrain him; they are armed with pitchforks, sticks, and other farm tools. Ann lies on her back on the ground, the bundle of plate that she has stolen from her mistress at Nero's request spilling out at her side. The light from the lantern in the left foreground illuminates the contents of Ann's letter to Tom telling the story of her entanglement and guilt. A box with her initials is open revealing a copy of the Book of Common Prayer and a copy of God's revenge against murder. Also on the ground near the lantern are Tom's pistol and a collection of watches that he has stolen. The clock in the church tower shows 1:00; a bat and owls circle overhead
- Description
-
Title engraved above image.
Publisher and series title from Paulson.
Third in a series of four: The four stages of cruelty.
Three columns each with four lines of verse etched below design: To lawless love when once betray'd, soon crime to crime succeeds: at length beguil'd to theft, the maid by her beguiler bleeds. Yet learn, seducing man! Nor night, with all its sable cloud, can screen the guilty deed from sight; foul murder cries aloud. The gaping wounds, and blood stain'd steel, now shock his trembling soul: but oh! what pangs his breast must feel, when death his knell shall toll."
"Price 1s"--Bottom left below design.
On page 156 in volume 2. Sheet trimmed within plate mark to: 37.8 x 30.4 cm. - Provenance
- George Steevens bequeathed this collection to William Windham (1750-1810). At Windham's death, the collection was put up for sale on 20 July 1810 and was bought in by Mrs. Windham at 292 guineas; by descent through the Windham family; Sotheby's, 17 February 1919 to Dyson Perrins for £400; Sotheby's sale including Property of the Late C.W. Dyson Perrins, Esq., 11 June 1959, lot 100 purchased by Maggs Bros. for W.S. Lewis for £1300.
- Extent
- 1 print : plate mark 38.8 x 31.9 cm, on sheet 61.1 x 47.1 cm
- Language
-
English
Collection Information
- Repository
- Lewis Walpole Library
- Call Number
- Folio 75 H67 800 v.2 (Oversize)
- Collection Title
- Plate 78. Queen Charlotte's collection of Hogarth works. Leaf 54. Album of William Hogarth prints.
- Collection / Other Creator
- Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, collector.
- Collection Date
- [England], [1732-1764] [England], [not after 1753]
Subjects, Formats, And Genres
- Genre
-
Satires (Visual works) England 1751
Engravings England London 1751
Etchings England London 1751 - Material
- etching and engraving ; and laid paper.
- Resource Type
- still image
- Subject (Topic)
-
Cemeteries
Criminals
Churches
Homicides
Pregnant women - Subjects
-
Cemeteries
Criminals
Churches
Homicides
Pregnant women
England > 1751
England > London > 1751
Kinnaird, Charles Kinnaird, Baron, 1780-1826 > Ownership
Sotheby, Frederick Edward, 1837-1909 > Ownership
Steevens, George, 1736-1800 > Ownership
Perrins, Charles William Dyson, 1864-1958 > Ownership
Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818 > Ownership
Greenberg, Richard > Ownership
Access And Usage Rights
- Access
- Public
- Rights
- The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.
Identifiers
- Orbis Record
- 9884857
- Object ID (OID)
- 16194108
Manifest Link
