Noon

Noon is a satirical print created by William Hogarth in 1738. Executed using the complex process of etching and engraving on laid paper, this work functions as the second installment in the artist’s famous series, Four Times of the Day. Produced during the height of the Georgian era (1726 to 1750), this British print captures the social, moral, and economic contrasts evident in mid-18th century London.

Hogarth utilizes the intricate lines afforded by etching and the precision of engraving to detail a crowded London street scene, contrasting the pious and the profane as midday activity reaches its peak. The scene, often identified as the area near St Giles, satirically juxtaposes the well-to-do Huguenots leaving the safety of their chapel after morning service against the chaotic, often slovenly, behavior of the working-class individuals flooding the surrounding alleyways and taverns. The print highlights cultural differences and generational conflicts, reinforcing Hogarth’s role as the foremost visual satirist of his generation. The strong directional light, indicative of the midday sun, further emphasizes the moral divisions he sought to expose in the urban environment.

The significance of this print lies not only in its artistic merit but in its powerful documentation of 18th-century British life. As Hogarth was a pioneer in commercializing art through widely distributed prints, works like Noon ensured broad public access to his pointed social commentary. This masterwork is now housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., contributing significantly to the museum’s holdings of important historical prints from the period. Because of its age and cultural impact, high-quality images of this piece, like many other famous works created between 1726 to 1750, are widely available in the public domain for study and appreciation.