Paul Before Felix Burlesqued

The print Paul Before Felix Burlesqued was created by William Hogarth in 1751. This satirical masterpiece is executed using a sophisticated combination of etching and engraving, supplemented with mezzotint tone to achieve deep shadows and subtle textural gradations. This particular impression represents the fourth state out of five, illustrating Hogarth’s meticulous process of refinement across subsequent printings.

Hogarth, the preeminent graphic satirist of 18th-century England, frequently utilized the format of prints to dissect and ridicule the follies of contemporary society, particularly the hypocrisy inherent in institutions of Law. The composition deliberately parodies the serious subject of Saint Paul’s appearance before the Roman governor Felix, transforming the scene into a burlesque of judicial proceedings and human arrogance. The central figures are rendered as absurd caricatures, emphasizing the artist's cynicism regarding the morality of the professional Men who govern the courts.

The work is densely packed with details characteristic of Hogarth’s style, where peripheral elements provide sharp social commentary. Notably, the inclusion of Dogs in the foreground and margins often serves as a satirical device, distracting from the central moral lesson and injecting visual chaos into the purported solemnity of the setting. The skillful combination of different printmaking methods allowed Hogarth to achieve the intense tonal contrast necessary for dramatic effect. This important example of English graphic art resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcasing the enduring influence of Hogarth’s satirical prints on visual culture.