Plate Eight, from A Rake's Progress

Plate Eight, from A Rake's Progress by William Hogarth English, 1697-1764, is a powerful example of 18th-century English narrative printmaking. Created in 1735, this final plate in Hogarth’s famed moralizing series utilizes the meticulous techniques of etching and engraving, rendered in black ink on ivory laid paper. This careful combination of media allowed the artist to achieve the fine textural and dramatic details necessary for his compelling visual satire.

The work culminates Hogarth's celebrated visual epic detailing the fictional heir Tom Rakewell’s rapid decline. Representing the tragic final scene, Plate Eight finds Rakewell stripped of his fortune and sanity, confined to Bethlem Hospital (Bedlam), London’s notorious public asylum. Hogarth’s unflinching portrayal of the consequences of vice placed the piece firmly within the tradition of social critique prevalent in England during the early Georgian era, warning against the pitfalls of luxury and immorality.

As a central figure in 18th-century art, Hogarth’s prints provided accessible, reproducible social commentary that influenced generations of graphic artists. The durability and circulation of the print medium ensured the widespread reach of narratives like A Rake’s Progress throughout society. This specific impression is held in the esteemed prints and drawings collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As the original series now falls within the public domain, high-quality prints and reproductions of this iconic English masterwork remain vital references for historians studying the intersection of satire, morality, and graphic arts.