Morning

"Morning," created by William Hogarth in 1738, is a significant example of British satirical prints from the period. This piece is the first installment in his famous sequence Four Times of Day, which offered a critical examination of contemporary London society and the moral contrasts visible across its populace. Hogarth executed the work using etching combined with engraving on laid paper, techniques that allowed for both detailed fidelity in the drawing and wide distribution for his potent social commentary.

The scene vividly captures the frigid early hours of the day in a bustling urban environment, traditionally identified as the area near Covent Garden. Hogarth masterfully contrasts the chaste, religiously observant figure walking past, likely representing austerity, with the lingering remnants of nighttime revelry and debauchery visible on the street. The severe architecture of the church stands in sharp contrast to the chaotic energy of the populace emerging from the shadows of inns and coffee houses. Produced during the height of the 1726 to 1750 era, Hogarth’s detailed observation served as both entertainment and profound moral critique, solidifying his reputation as a master chronicler of British life.

As a dedicated printmaker, Hogarth ensured his compositions reached a broad audience, making works like Morning highly influential in popular culture and artistic discourse. The accessibility of these early mass-produced prints allowed for the widespread dissemination of his visual sermons throughout the populace. This specific impression of the print is preserved in the comprehensive collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., and serves as a vital document of 18th-century cultural history. Today, high-resolution images of Hogarth’s celebrated prints are often available in the public domain, allowing for continued scholarly access and appreciation for his legacy.