Plate three, from A Harlot's Progress

"Plate three, from A Harlot's Progress," created by William Hogarth English, 1697-1764, in 1732, is a crucial image within his groundbreaking series of six moral prints. Executed using the copperplate technique, this work demonstrates Hogarth's mastery of engraving and etching as a medium for trenchant social commentary. As a significant example of early English sequential narrative art, this print helped define the visual and moral culture of 18th-century England. The series, depicting the tragic arc of the fictional Moll Hackabout, was immensely popular upon release, capitalizing on the public appetite for moralizing satire directed at contemporary urban vices.

In the progression of A Harlot’s Progress, this piece marks a critical decline in the protagonist's fortunes, moving the narrative from initial corruption towards an inevitable ruin. Hogarth utilized the detailed precision available through copperplate printing to fill his compositions with symbolic objects and subtle narrative clues, reinforcing the work’s moral lesson. Unlike traditional high art, these mass-produced prints allowed Hogarth, born 1697-1764, to reach a broad audience, effectively disseminating his moral and political critiques across society. This work highlights his innovative approach to storytelling and his established role as the preeminent visual satirist of his era. This notable print is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, and due to its age and cultural significance, high-resolution examples of the work are often available through public domain resources.