The Four Times of Day: Evening

The Four Times of Day: Evening by William Hogarth is a foundational example of 18th-century English social satire, created in 1738. This work is part of a renowned series, The Four Times of Day, through which William Hogarth offered a visual commentary on the contemporary social life, manners, and vices prevalent in the United Kingdom.

The piece utilizes the specific characteristics of the engraving medium, allowing for precise detail and deep tonal contrasts. Hogarth was a master of this technique, employing the popular format of mass-produced prints to disseminate his sharp moralizing narratives widely. The commercial success of these distributed prints solidified his status as Britain's leading visual satirist.

The subject matter of The Four Times of Day: Evening typically depicts the chaotic end of the working day, often showing a scene just outside the bustling city limits. In contrast to the grand genre of history painting, Hogarth focused on the humorous and often difficult realities of everyday domestic life. He captures the exhaustion and disarray of the lower and middle classes, using specific details—such as weary, struggling figures or dilapidated architecture—to critique the moral decay and social pretension he perceived in contemporary London society.

As a crucial example of the English school of satirical prints, this work reflects the era's taste for accessible moral drama and detailed observation. This historically significant piece of British cultural history is preserved within the esteemed collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.