A Harlot's Progress, Plate 2

A Harlot's Progress, Plate 2 by William Hogarth, created in 1732, is a potent example of the artist’s groundbreaking narrative sequence and a cornerstone of 18th-century graphic satire. Executed using the demanding techniques of etching and engraving, this specific impression is classified as the rare first state of four, capturing the composition before subsequent revisions were implemented. This print follows Moll Hackabout’s rapid ascent into the precarious life of a kept woman following her arrival in London.

The scene transports the viewer into a highly decorative, yet morally compromised, interior. Moll is now established as a wealthy mistress, surrounded by signs of luxurious living. Hogarth contrasts this opulence with elements of disorder and decay, subtly signaling the instability of her position. Moll is attended by a young Black servant, a common status symbol in wealthy London households of the era. The presence of a wealthy patron, one of the men who supports her lifestyle, is implied or shown departing the room, maintaining the transactional nature of their relationship.

Hogarth integrates specific symbolic subject matter to emphasize the scene’s satirical intent. A restless monkey, dressed in fashionable clothing, perches on a cabinet, perhaps mimicking the superficiality of Moll's existence. This detailed composition demonstrates Hogarth’s mastery of sequential storytelling, a process designed specifically for wide dissemination as affordable prints. The original series proved immensely popular, solidifying Hogarth as a master of the narrative genre. This exceptional impression of the work is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, preserving a key moment in British visual culture often referenced through digital copies available in the public domain.