Night (The Four Times of Day)

Night (The Four Times of Day) by William Hogarth, created in 1738, is a highly detailed and complex example of 18th century British printmaking. This notable engraving, produced in the second state of two, forms one quarter of Hogarth’s famous quartet, which satirized the evolving social fabric and moral conditions of London life across a single day.

The scene captures the chaos and shadowy activity of a bustling street at midnight. Hogarth uses the setting of Night to illuminate the perils and mishaps common to the era, contrasting drunken disorder with the solemnity of figures like the sleeping coachman. The composition is dramatically activated by an unfolding crisis on the left: a substantial Fire has broken out, illuminating the dilapidated Buildings and casting stark shadows on the frantic movements of the Men and Women attempting to navigate the dark streets.

Hogarth, a master of narrative and social commentary, employed the print medium extensively to circulate his observations widely among the British public. The detailed line work and etching process necessary for creating such high-quality engravings were instrumental in making satirical art accessible. This piece, along with its counterparts like Morning and Noon, provides valuable art historical insight into the daily struggles and societal preoccupations of the 1700s. The work currently resides in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, preserving a key example of historical prints and British satirical art.