Morning

Morning by William Hogarth, created in 1738, is a seminal example of 18th-century British narrative art. Executed using the meticulous techniques of etching and engraving, this print represents the first installment of Hogarth’s celebrated series, The Four Times of Day. The print medium allowed the artist to disseminate his social critiques widely, securing his reputation as a keen observer and satirist of Georgian England.

The scene depicts the start of the day in a recognizable urban environment, contrasting the sober routines of the pious and working class with the lingering debauchery of the night before. Hogarth masterfully employs visual irony, illustrating the cultural contradictions prevalent in London life during the period of 1726 to 1750. His approach moves beyond simple portraiture or traditional history painting, developing a new visual genre known as the "modern moral subject," where everyday scenarios are imbued with biting social and ethical commentary. The detail achievable through the combined use of etching and engraving allows for the inclusion of numerous smaller narrative elements that reward close inspection.

Hogarth’s influence on subsequent generations of artists and printmakers remains profound. As a foundational figure in British art, his prints served as essential cultural documents of the time. The popularity and continued relevance of the entire series, including Morning, solidified his legacy. This important impression of the work is preserved within the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art, providing critical insight into Hogarth’s technical skill and his incisive satirical vision. Due to its age and stature, high-quality images of this print are often available to the public under public domain guidelines, fostering continued scholarship into 18th-century graphic arts.