A Harlot's Progress, Plate 4

A Harlot's Progress, Plate 4 by William Hogarth, created in 1732, is a crucial installment in the artist's groundbreaking narrative series, which uses the fictional tragedy of Moll Hackabout to satirize contemporary moral failings and the perils of urban life. This celebrated work is executed using the demanding dual techniques of etching and engraving, demonstrating Hogarth's exceptional skill in producing detailed, reproducible prints for a wide, commercially invested audience.

In Plate 4, Moll’s descent into poverty is complete, depicting her arrest for theft in a wretched, squalid attic room. The environment is crowded and claustrophobic, characteristic of the impoverished working districts of 18th-century London. Hogarth fills the scene with supporting characters, illustrating the grim realities faced by the lower classes. Various men and women, including law enforcement and potentially Moll's fellow tenants, interact during the chaotic apprehension. The detailing of the room includes tools and materials associated with manual labor or nearby trades, perhaps including hammers or other implements used by neighboring working classes, emphasizing the contrast between desperation and hardscrabble existence.

Hogarth used the visual narrative of the series to illustrate the inevitable consequences of vice and the rigid, punitive structure of English society. This particular impression is categorized as the third state of three, representing the final published iteration approved by the artist. As one of the most famous satirical prints ever created, the work remains central to understanding 18th-century graphic art. A Harlot's Progress, Plate 4 is currently held within the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a primary example of social commentary in visual media. Like many of Hogarth's master prints, high-resolution images of this piece are often found within public domain collections, ensuring continued scholarly access globally.