The Invasion, Plate 2: England

The Invasion, Plate 2: England by William Hogarth is a significant satirical etching created in 1756, representing the third and final state of the print. This work is one half of a paired series addressing the British national character and the pervasive political anxiety surrounding a potential French invasion during the outbreak of the Seven Years’ War. Hogarth uses powerful caricature to depict the self-satisfied, often clumsy prosperity of the English public, providing a sharp contrast to the militaristic, starving figures he illustrates in the corresponding French plate.

The composition portrays a lively English roadside setting, populated by various types of Men, including soldiers, sailors, and jovial civilians. This scene emphasizes the confidence and relative wealth of the nation through symbols of leisure and consumption. Hogarth includes numerous details that highlight aspects of Georgian English culture, such as the practice of Painting, represented by a crudely executed sign advertising patriotic themes, and the presence of various Musical Instruments, which underscore the nation's sense of carefree superiority and robust enjoyment of life.

The visual narrative relies heavily on juxtaposition, reinforcing the British perception of their liberties versus the supposed tyranny of France. Hogarth’s printmaking mastery allowed this piece, like his many social critiques, to be widely disseminated among the public. This print remains an essential record of 18th-century social and political history. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this specific impression of the etching in its comprehensive collection. As a pivotal work now in the public domain, prints of Hogarth's influential satire are widely available for research and appreciation worldwide.