Evening (The Four Times of Day)

Evening (The Four Times of Day) by William Hogarth, executed in 1738, is a significant engraving from the artist's influential series that satirically documented the rhythms and social dynamics of 18th-century London life. This influential series cemented Hogarth’s reputation as a master observer of English society. Classified as a print, this particular impression represents the third state of three, demonstrating the finalized artistic choices Hogarth made in transferring his painted design to the copper plate for mass reproduction.

The composition captures a chaotic scene characteristic of a warm Sunday evening in a suburban setting, far from the central elegance of the city. Set among dilapidated buildings that underscore the theme of decay, the focus is on a group of figures, primarily women and children, returning from a walk or excursion. Hogarth’s narrative focuses sharply on a weary central woman, burdened by her domestic troubles and struggling to manage the various children who are squabbling nearby or interacting with the family dogs. This focus on realistic details of everyday life and its inherent chaos serves Hogarth’s aim of exposing social follies and commenting on public behavior.

As a crucial component of the Four Times of Day series, this print offers invaluable insight into the cultural and social atmosphere of Georgian England. Hogarth’s skill as an engraver ensured that his pictorial narratives reached a broad audience, establishing him as a pioneering figure in British satire. The quality and historical context of this piece are preserved within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and prominence, the image is frequently available as high-resolution digital prints in the public domain, ensuring global accessibility to this defining work of 18th-century British art.