A copy in reverse of William Hogarth's Plate 3 of A harlot's progress: In a shabby room in Drury Lane; Moll Hackabout is shown having risen late (the watch shows 11:45), attended by a serving-woman who has lost part of her nose to syphilis; in the background, the magistrate, John Gonson, enters quietly with officers to arrest her; pinned to the window frame are two portrait prints of the hero and heroines of "The Beggar's Opera", Captain Mackheath and Polly Peacham, (Polly replaces Dr. Sacheverell in Hogarth's print), the wig-box of James Dalton, highwayman, sits above the bed, and one of several beer tankards on the floor carries the name of a Drury Lane tavern. A kitten plays at Moll's feet. A copy of Bishop Gibson's "Pastoral Letter to ..." serves as a butter dish. Above the window on the left is a print after a Titian painting depicting the angel staying the hand of Abraham as he is about to slay Isaac. Medicine bottles on the window sill suggest that Molly is already ill with the disease that will later kill her
Alternative Title:
Harlot's progress. Plate 3, Compleat trull at her lodgings in Drury Lane, and Elle est reduite à la misère dans son logement de Drury Lane
Description:
Title in English and French engraved below image., Date of publication based on the series of Rake's progress by Henry Parker dated 25 March 1768 in which these same engraved border pieces are used, here visibly more worn, and reversed on the page., The ornamental borders along the left and right edges are printed from a separate plate (images 25 x 2.8 cm, on plate mark 25.5 x 36 cm)., Copy of Hogarth's original plate, engraved in reverse as per the piracy published by Elisha Kirkall in 1732., Cf. Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 3, no. 2062., Cf. Paulson, R. Hogarth's graphic works (3rd ed.), no. 123., and Border piece on the left slight overprinting into the design.