A Harlot's Progress: pl.2

A Harlot's Progress: pl.2, created by William Hogarth in 1732, is a potent example of 18th-century British narrative art. This image is the second in Hogarth’s groundbreaking series of six plates detailing the downfall of Moll Hackabout, a young woman seduced into prostitution shortly after her arrival in London. The work was executed using the meticulous technique of etching and engraving, allowing Hogarth to achieve the high level of detail necessary for his moralizing satire.

In this specific print, Hogarth illustrates Moll now living in extravagant, if precarious, circumstances as a kept mistress. The scene is saturated with visual clues suggesting her moral compromise and impending ruin, a signature characteristic of Hogarth’s narrative methodology. Moll is shown within the luxurious chaos of the wealthy client’s apartment, replete with imported goods and objects that indicate a life of decadence and superficiality. She quarrels with her Jewish protector, highlighting the inevitable transactional nature and instability of her relationship. Created during the period between 1726 to 1750, this print reflects the burgeoning social complexity and the intense moral scrutiny characteristic of early Georgian British society. Hogarth employed satire not merely to entertain, but to critique the underlying hypocrisy of the elite and the dangers faced by vulnerable women newly arrived in the capital.

Hogarth’s success in popularizing the narrative print as a medium for moral instruction solidified his reputation as one of the era’s foremost artists. Because this work was reproduced and widely disseminated during the 18th century, it helped establish a robust commercial market for British prints. The power of the A Harlot's Progress series lies in its cinematic progression and detailed social observation. This significant piece of 18th-century art is held within the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., and is frequently referenced today as foundational material in the history of graphic satire. As an important historical document, high-resolution reproductions of this work are often available through public domain resources, ensuring its continued study.