The Polling, Plate III: Four Prints of an Election

"The Polling, Plate III: Four Prints of an Election" by William Hogarth, executed in 1758, is a significant satirical print in the artist's vast oeuvre. This specific impression is noted as the third state of three, created using the demanding dual techniques of etching and engraving. Hogarth utilized etching for the initial composition and broad lines, deepening and refining the image with the more precise, dense lines of engraving. This print is the penultimate work in Hogarth’s four-part series collectively known as Four Prints of an Election, offering a biting commentary on the widespread corruption inherent in 18th-century British electoral politics.

The detailed scene depicts a chaotic and fraught election day. A massive, unruly crowd gathers near the hastily constructed polling booth, characterized by visual elements of physical infirmity, bribery, and open disorder. Hogarth populated the composition with various types of citizens and voters, focusing on those who are demonstrably unfit or easily manipulated. Flags bearing partisan slogans are prominently displayed, contributing to the sense of noisy fervor surrounding the contest. The complexity of the crowd, combined with the grotesque satire, reveals Hogarth's commitment to skewering the practice of vote-buying and the inherent absurdity of the Georgian democratic process.

As a print, this piece was designed for mass consumption, allowing Hogarth’s influential social critique to reach a broad audience beyond the traditional patronage system. The complete set remains a crucial visual record of mid-18th century British life and political structure. This important impression resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Given its established age and historical significance, the detailed imagery captured in these historical prints is often made available for study and reference through public domain initiatives.