A Rake's Progress, Plate 7

A Rake's Progress, Plate 7 by William Hogarth, dating to 1735, is a masterful example of narrative printmaking from the English Georgian era. This engraving, presented here in its third state of four, continues the cautionary tale of Tom Rakewell, whose reckless and dissolute lifestyle has led to his total ruin. Hogarth utilized the highly detailed and accessible medium of the print to disseminate moral lessons widely across London society.

Plate 7 depicts a cramped, horrifying interior scene within the infamous Fleet Prison, the era’s main debtors' jail. The atmosphere of profound suffering is palpable as Rakewell, centrally positioned, is stripped of his dignity and surrounded by a chaotic mix of fellow men and women prisoners. The composition includes small groups of boys and girls observing the scene, highlighting the devastating intergenerational effects of financial recklessness on family units. One of the few characters offering solace is the faithful Sarah Young, a virtuous woman whom Rakewell had previously betrayed. Her desperate attempt to comfort him underscores the sharp contrast between virtue and vice that permeates the artist’s oeuvre.

The sharp lines and dark shadows achieved through the etching and engraving techniques heighten the claustrophobia and emotional drama of the composition. Hogarth expertly used these technical aspects to create not merely an illustration, but a potent social commentary on debt and institutional cruelty in 18th-century London. The complete narrative series, including this pivotal installment, A Rake's Progress, remains one of the most significant achievements in British graphic art. This influential impression is housed within the vast collection of prints and drawings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.