A Harlot's Progress, Plate 3

A Harlot's Progress, Plate 3 by William Hogarth is an impactful example of early 18th-century British satire, executed in 1732 using the technical skill of etching and engraving. This print belongs to Hogarth's groundbreaking six-plate narrative series, which traces the tragic descent of a young woman named Moll Hackabout. Hogarth pioneered the use of serialized prints to critique contemporary London society and morality. The medium, specifically etching and engraving in the third state of three, allowed for wide distribution, making these visual narratives accessible and highly influential in shaping English genre art.

Plate 3 shifts the narrative deeper into Moll’s career, placing her in a detailed interior, likely a lavish but disorderly bedroom in the service of a high-class Jewish merchant. The composition features a tense encounter between women and men. Moll, the central figure, is clearly established in a high-class, though precarious, profession. The scene focuses on the physical space of the room, including the rumpled bed, suggesting recent activity. The drama unfolds between the women and the arriving men who discover the betrayal. The inclusion of a small cat further serves Hogarth’s satiric intent; the animal is shown reacting to the chaotic environment, mirroring the human commotion.

This important example of Hogarth's narrative skill is housed within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The prints from A Harlot’s Progress were extremely popular upon release, establishing Hogarth as a dominant figure in British art. Because of the age and widespread importance of this work, high-resolution images of this influential etching are frequently reproduced, making the masterwork available to a global audience often through public domain initiatives.