Paul Before Felix

Paul Before Felix by William Hogarth English, 1697–1764, is a significant preparatory study created between 1746 and 1756. Classified within the larger context of Hogarth's print projects, this drawing addresses the New Testament narrative (Acts 24) concerning the Apostle Paul’s trial before the Roman procurator Antonius Felix. Throughout his career, Hogarth utilized biblical and historical subjects as subtle, yet powerful, vehicles for social commentary and critiques of contemporary 18th-century England.

The work is executed using various red chalks on cream laid paper, a common and effective medium for preliminary studies that require rich modeling and definition of form before translation to an etched plate or canvas. Hogarth’s detailed draftsmanship in this piece captures the dramatic tension of the confrontation, focusing on the gestures and expressions of the central figures. The extensive ten-year span attributed to the creation period suggests the artist’s commitment to refining the complex composition for eventual execution as a finalized print or large-scale painting, aligning with the ambitions of his history painting period.

This drawing is an important component of the renowned English artist's oeuvre, providing essential insight into his rigorous planning process for major projects. The artwork resides within the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As one of the most celebrated satirists and printmakers of the era, Hogarth’s final prints, based on such studies as Paul Before Felix, continue to influence art history, with many examples now accessible in the public domain for study and appreciation worldwide.