The Invasion, Plate 1: France

The Invasion, Plate 1: France by William Hogarth, executed in 1756, is a powerful satirical print produced using the engraving technique. This specific impression represents the third state of the three published editions. As a printmaker, William Hogarth frequently utilized serialized works to convey complex political and social narratives, and this plate serves as the first entry in a duo that contrasts French and English national character during the height of Anglo-French tensions preceding the Seven Years' War.

In this depiction of the rival nation, Hogarth satirizes the poverty and overly zealous Catholic subservience he perceived in France. The scene portrays French soldiers in tattered, inadequate uniforms, suggesting they are poorly equipped and overly reliant on spiritual guidance rather than military prowess. A large religious cross dominates the foreground near meager stores and rations, explicitly juxtaposing spiritual fervor with material lack. On the distant horizon, small ships symbolize the limited reach and scale of French naval power compared to Britain, reinforcing the nationalistic message for the English audience.

This print, a key example of Hogarth’s biting political commentary, contrasts pointedly with its companion piece, The Invasion, Plate 2: England, which depicts robust, well-fed English troops preparing for defensive action. The immediacy and relevance of the work ensured that numerous prints were distributed widely throughout London. Today, this significant piece of eighteenth-century visual propaganda resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and cultural importance, high-resolution reproductions of the artwork are often available for educational study through public domain initiatives.