Noon (The Four Times of Day)

Noon (The Four Times of Day) by William Hogarth, executed in 1738, is a highly significant example of English satirical prints from the Georgian era. This piece is one of four engravings making up the influential series depicting the moral and social contrasts found within London society. Created utilizing the detailed technique of line engraving, this impression represents the second and final state of the plate, showcasing Hogarth’s skill in producing complex compositions for wide public consumption.

The subject matter centers on a chaotic street scene outside a French Protestant chapel in the capital, capturing the moment of midday release and excess. Hogarth uses the setting to juxtapose moral temperance against unruly indulgence. The architecture of the imposing buildings frames the narrative, particularly the prominent doorways of the church and an adjacent pie-shop. From the church doorway, reserved Huguenots emerge, contrasting sharply with the boisterous behavior of the English crowd gathered nearby. The composition captures the energy of a densely packed street, where social classes and cultural habits clash under the intense light of the noon sun.

This sharp visual commentary solidified Hogarth’s reputation as a foremost chronicler of 18th-century urban life. The success of the series, including works like Noon (The Four Times of Day), demonstrates the widespread appetite for moralizing yet humorous social prints in the period. This particular example of the engraving is housed within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As these historical prints have become essential cultural documents, many of Hogarth's masterworks are now available through major institutional initiatives, often found within the public domain for study and appreciation.