O the Roast Beef of Old England--The Gate of Calais

O the Roast Beef of Old England--The Gate of Calais by William Hogarth, executed in 1749, is a biting political satire rendered through the precise technique of etching and engraving. Classified as a print, this influential work exists as the second state of two, showcasing the artist’s masterful control over line and composition in his critique of contemporary Anglo-French relations.

The scene is set outside the formidable architecture of the town gate in Calais, depicting a sharp contrast between English prosperity and French deprivation. Hogarth uses visual allegory to emphasize national differences, portraying French men and women as hungry and impoverished, struggling to make do with meager resources like thin soup and common vegetables. French soldiers, identified by their uniforms, are shown as gaunt figures observing the activity.

Central to the composition, and the core of the satire, is the triumphant figure of a robust English courier carrying a substantial side of beef. The large cut of food, representing the hearty English diet, looms over the French citizens who are primarily dealing with baskets of small fish and simple cauldrons. This visual hierarchy champions English patriotism and prosperity against perceived French weakness and Catholicism, highlighting the period's fierce cultural rivalry.

This important print is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the lasting appeal and historical importance of prints such as O the Roast Beef of Old England--The Gate of Calais, reproductions of this powerful satire are widely available through public domain resources, allowing broad access to the work of this pivotal 18th-century master.