Paul before Félix (Large Plate)

Paul before Félix (Large Plate) by William Hogarth is a significant print, created in 1752 utilizing the demanding technique of engraving. As a renowned artist and social commentator of the United Kingdom, Hogarth frequently used the reproducible nature of prints to disseminate his moral narratives and historical interpretations throughout the mid-eighteenth century. This specific composition depicts the biblical narrative from the Book of Acts (Chapter 24), where the Apostle Paul defends his faith before the Roman governor Antonius Felix and his wife Drusilla.

Hogarth's approach to this historical subject matter is characteristic of his mature style, blending classical architectural staging with highly expressive figures to convey psychological drama. His mastery as an engraver is evident in the detailed rendering of the setting and the rich tonal contrasts, achieved through precise line work, which lend dramatic weight and depth to the scene. Creating large-scale prints like this allowed Hogarth to achieve visual effects comparable to oil paintings, while simultaneously ensuring accessibility to a wider audience through the printed medium. The ambitious scale of this "Large Plate" underscores the work's importance within his catalog of religious and historical prints.

The resulting image offers valuable insight into the cultural and visual standards of the Georgian era, reflecting how 18th-century British artists interpreted ancient history and religious texts. This complex engraving is preserved as a key example of Hogarth's printmaking legacy and is held within the distinguished collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Due to its age and prominence, high-quality reproductions of this historical work are often found available in the public domain for scholarly study and general reference.