An Election Entertainment, Plate I: Four Prints of an Election

An Election Entertainment, Plate I: Four Prints of an Election is a pivotal 1755 print by William Hogarth. Executed using sophisticated etching and engraving techniques, this detailed piece is the first installment of a satirical series focused on the chaotic state of British electoral politics during the mid-eighteenth century. Hogarth employs sharp social commentary to depict a raucous Whig Party dinner held at a local tavern, where the political fervor quickly descends into a scene of gluttony and bribery.

The composition is defined by excess, capturing the frenzy of the pre-election event. The foreground is crowded with men and women, many of whom are heavily engaged in drinking, while loud musicians provide chaotic entertainment. Hogarth uses the diverse cast-including children observing the proceedings-to critique the pervasive corruption that infiltrated all levels of society during the contested election cycle. The deliberate staging of the party elements underscores the systemic failure of the political process, rendering the scene an enduring example of British satire.

Technically, this impression is state six of eight, demonstrating the refinement Hogarth applied to his copper plates as he finalized the series for publication. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this specific impression of An Election Entertainment in its comprehensive collection of 18th-century British prints. As a historically significant work of satire now widely available in the public domain, this visual commentary remains a crucial reference for understanding the era.