The Industrious 'Prentice Lord Mayor of London (Industry and Idleness, plate12)

The Industrious 'Prentice Lord Mayor of London (Industry and Idleness, plate12) by William Hogarth, created in 1747, represents the final installment of his influential twelve-part series contrasting moral and material outcomes. This work is a detailed print, executed using the combined techniques of etching and engraving, characteristic of the satirical graphic works Hogarth disseminated widely during the period. The specific impression held in the collection is identified as the third state of three.

This scene marks the triumphant conclusion of the diligent apprentice Francis Goodchild’s narrative, depicting his elevation to the respected office of Lord Mayor. Hogarth captures a vivid, theatrical representation of the celebratory procession through the streets of London. The composition is dense with detail, showing an immense crowd gathered to witness the spectacle. The surrounding historic Buildings frame the action, providing a grand backdrop to the civic event.

The central focus includes the elaborate processional Carriages, emphasizing the pomp associated with the high office. Hogarth meticulously renders the figures and signs, satirizing and celebrating contemporary London life simultaneously. As a crucial example of 18th-century moralizing prints, this piece uses detailed visual narrative to promote Puritan work ethic and social reward. This celebrated print resides within the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to its status as a foundational piece of British satirical art, the image, along with other prints from the series, is frequently referenced and made available through public domain art initiatives.