The First Stage of Cruelty (The Four Stages of Cruelty)

The First Stage of Cruelty (The Four Stages of Cruelty) by William Hogarth, created in 1751, is the inaugural plate in a dramatic series designed to instruct the public on the inevitable progression from petty malice to violent crime. This seminal work, classified as a print, was executed using the precise medium of etching and engraving, highlighting the meticulous detail Hogarth employed in his famous moralizing narratives. The artist intended the series to serve as a stark social commentary and an educational tool, encouraging humane behavior among 18th-century Londoners.

The etching graphically details the abuses inflicted by young Tom Nero, the central figure whose life history the series traces, and his companions. The primary subjects, categorized as Men (the boys) and Dogs, are shown engaged in acts of petty cruelty: Nero is depicted stuffing an arrow into the rear of a dog, while other youths torture a cat or engage in cock-throwing. This specific piece represents the first state of two, showcasing the clarity and deep tonal contrast achieved through Hogarth's expert command of the engraving process.

Hogarth’s didactic prints were highly influential upon publication and cemented his reputation as a master satirist and social reformer. The work remains a critical artifact for understanding the anxieties and reform movements of Georgian England. This powerful early impression, providing crucial historical context for the entire sequence, is held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to its age and cultural significance, this celebrated example of Hogarth's prints is often made available through public domain art resources, ensuring its continued prominence in art historical study.