Night: The Four Times of Day

Night: The Four Times of Day by William Hogarth is a powerful example of 18th-century English social satire, published in 1738 as part of a famous four-plate series that captures the rhythm and chaos of typical London life. Executed using the intaglio techniques of etching and engraving, this impression represents the highly desirable first state of two, showcasing the detailed line work characteristic of Hogarth’s prints. The work is held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Hogarth centers the chaotic scene around a narrow thoroughfare under the cover of night. The composition features diverse figures, including men and women struggling to navigate the destructive elements and dangers inherent in the metropolitan environment after dark. The focus of the dramatic action is a massive fire consuming one of the surrounding buildings, throwing stark, brutal illumination across the street. This visual device allows Hogarth to dramatically highlight the panic among the fleeing figures and the grim reality of urban calamity, offering a subtle social critique of the dangers and disorder prevalent in Georgian London.

As a key piece within Hogarth’s extensive output of narrative prints, Night: The Four Times of Day functions as both an accurate visual record of daily life and a moralizing commentary on contemporary society. This influential piece, classified specifically as an etching and engraving, gained immediate popularity and contributed significantly to the tradition of social commentary art entering the public domain.