A Rake's Progress, Plate 4

A Rake's Progress, Plate 4 by William Hogarth, created in 1735, is a masterful example of the artist's satirical and moralizing printmaking. This work, classified as a historical print, utilizes the intricate combined techniques of etching and engraving, presented here in the third state of three. This plate forms part of Hogarth’s iconic eight-part narrative series chronicling the swift moral and financial decline of the protagonist, Tom Rakewell, serving as both entertainment and a harsh social commentary on 18th-century English society.

In this dramatic scene, the print illustrates Rakewell's mounting financial troubles, depicting his arrest for debt. The unfortunate Rake is apprehended while traveling in a sedan chair near St. James’s Palace, surrounded by a chaotic street environment. The composition is crowded with various figures, including the bailiffs who seize him, as well as numerous Men, Women, and Boys observing the spectacle, all contributing to the sense of urban disorder. Detailed London Buildings form the backdrop, grounding the narrative in contemporary reality. The only respite comes from Sarah Young, Rakewell's deserted former lover, who intervenes to pay his creditors and secure his temporary release.

This particular impression is held within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a crucial moment in the history of British narrative prints. The enduring legacy of Hogarth's powerful series ensures that the complex satire and moral lessons inherent in his prints remain relevant for contemporary study.