Beheading (John Beaver, Roman Military Punishments, 1725)

The print, Beheading (John Beaver, Roman Military Punishments, 1725), by William Hogarth, is a stark example of the artist's engagement with historical violence and societal structure. Created using the etching technique, this specific work belongs to a broad period stretching from 1725 to 1779, suggesting it was part of a planned series or a concept that Hogarth developed over several decades. As a master of graphic narrative, Hogarth uses the precision of the print medium to depict a violent military punishment, likely intended for illustrative or educational purposes regarding ancient Roman law and its inherent severity.

The scene focuses on the execution of a man by beheading, referencing the severe disciplinary practices of the Roman military detailed in the subtitle. Hogarth’s composition emphasizes the brutality inherent in such systemic punishment, clearly showcasing the power dynamics between the enforcing soldiers and the condemned men. Though known primarily for his satirical modern moral subjects, Hogarth occasionally turned his keen eye toward historical texts, resulting in powerful prints like this one that document archaic forms of justice. The extensive date range suggests the piece was perhaps commissioned or intended as an illustration for a published historical work detailing these ancient laws and penalties. This historically significant etching is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and classification as a public domain artwork, high-resolution prints are widely available for scholarly study and appreciation of Hogarth’s meticulous technical skill.