The Industrious 'Prentice a Favorite and Entrusted by his Master (Industry and Idleness, plate 4)

The Industrious 'Prentice a Favorite and Entrusted by his Master (Industry and Idleness, plate 4) by William Hogarth is a detailed print executed in 1747 using the demanding processes of etching and engraving; the example held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the second state of two. This work is the fourth plate in the renowned twelve-part series, Industry and Idleness, a cornerstone of 18th-century English social satire. Hogarth used this visual narrative to explicitly convey popular moralizing themes, contrasting the success and rewards of diligence with the penalties of sloth.

The scene depicts the successful apprentice, Francis Goodchild, now a reliable figure in the London mercantile house, illustrating the favor and trust shown by his master. The composition is populated with various Men and Women engaged in the daily activities of commerce, underscoring the bustling environment of working life. Goodchild sits centrally, meticulously keeping accounts, demonstrating the focused attention that has earned him his favored status. The careful inclusion of domestic animals, such as a sleepy cat resting near the fire and a playful dog in the foreground, adds an element of familiar chaos to the busy yet orderly environment.

As a print, this piece was intended for wide distribution, allowing Hogarth's moral lessons to reach a broad cross-section of society beyond those who could afford unique paintings. The intricate linework and tonal contrasts achieved through the etching and engraving medium demonstrate the technical sophistication of 18th-century graphic arts. This powerful visual sermon, representative of Hogarth’s skill as a satirist and chronicler of urban life, is preserved in the extensive prints collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.