The Beggar's Opera, Act III

The Beggar's Opera, Act III by William Blake, created in 1790, is a masterful example of etching and engraving depicting a pivotal scene from John Gay’s celebrated satirical ballad opera. First staged in 1728, The Beggar's Opera remained highly influential throughout the late eighteenth century, and Blake captures the dramatic theatricality inherent in its popular staging.

This detailed print showcases multiple figures, focusing on the men and women of the cast who are gathered on the stage for the climactic sequence. Blake, utilizing both etching and engraving techniques, achieved deep contrasts and fine linear detail essential for rendering the emotional intensity of the scene. The actors are seen portraying the central characters, emphasizing the themes of moral ambiguity and societal critique for which the play is known. Noticeable within the detailed composition is the inclusion of a prominent Coat of Arms, perhaps signifying the corrupted systems of authority skewered by Gay's original work.

This important print resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a significant 18th-century print, the work demonstrates Blake’s early command of the medium before his innovative explorations in relief etching. Due to the historical nature of the piece and the stature of the artist, this work and many other historical prints by Blake are widely available in the public domain, allowing researchers and enthusiasts access to high-quality images for the study of British printmaking and theatrical history.