Map of Stockholm (Aubry de La Mottraye's "Travels throughout Europe, Asia and into Part of Africa...," London, 1724, vol. II, pl. 32)

The Map of Stockholm (Aubry de La Mottraye's "Travels throughout Europe, Asia and into Part of Africa...," London, 1724, vol. II, pl. 32), created by William Hogarth between 1723 and 1724, exemplifies the artist's early commissioned work as a professional printmaker. Executed through the demanding process of etching and engraving, this plate served as an illustration for Volume Two of the prominent travelogue by Aubry de La Mottraye, demonstrating Hogarth's skill in producing detailed, functional cartography alongside ornamental design.

While the central element is the geographical map of Stockholm, the piece is enriched by decorative elements characteristic of the period. The borders incorporate small portraits and profiles, including representations of both men and women, transforming the technical drawing into an elaborate artistic print. These figures function as contextualizing marginalia, providing glimpses into the visual culture of the era and highlighting Hogarth’s emerging aptitude for portraiture, even in miniature.

This impression, classified as the rare first state of two, offers keen insight into the technical precision required of illustrative prints during the early eighteenth century. Today, this work is held in the esteemed collection of prints and drawings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a major contribution to the visual documentation of European capitals and a cornerstone of Hogarth's output preceding his famous moral series, this print is a critical reference point. Given its historical status, the artwork is frequently digitized and made accessible through public domain initiatives, supporting continued scholarly research.