Cassandra, Frontispiece, Vol. 3

Cassandra, Frontispiece, Vol. 3 is a seminal early work by William Hogarth, executed in 1725 using the combined techniques of etching and engraving. Classified as a print, this piece reflects the high demand for illustrated literature and visual narrative during the early Georgian era. The function as a frontispiece indicates its role as the lead illustration for the third volume of a specific publication, likely a dramatic or fictional account involving the tragic figure of Cassandra.

Hogarth's command of the printmaking process is evident in the sharp lines and textural details achieved in the final impression. The subject matter centers on a highly emotional domestic scene, utilizing the tags of Bedrooms and Beds to frame the drama. We observe a woman, presumably the titular prophetess, depicted in a state of agitation or despair within the confines of a richly draped four-poster bed. The composition draws the viewer into this intimate, private setting, characteristic of the artist's ability to infuse theatrical gravity into seemingly mundane interiors, foreshadowing his later, celebrated moralizing prints.

This important example of early British printmaking is preserved in the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because this work by Hogarth is well within the public domain, high-quality digital reproductions of these prints are often accessible for scholarly study. Hogarth’s proficiency in creating visually compelling and technically sophisticated illustrative prints established his reputation and provided the foundation for his revolutionary artistic output throughout the remainder of the eighteenth century.