Ticket for Henry Fielding's The Mock Doctor

The Ticket for Henry Fielding's The Mock Doctor by William Hogarth is an intricate example of eighteenth-century print culture, executed in the etching medium. Dated 1792, this specific impression serves as a fascinating artifact of London’s vibrant theatrical life. The design, typically used to gain entry to a performance of Henry Fielding's farce, provides social commentary characteristic of Hogarth’s distinct style, even when rendered for utilitarian purposes.

The composition utilizes the small format of the ticket to depict the interplay between men and women often found in Fielding’s comedies, particularly one mocking the medical profession and social pretense. Hogarth specialized in capturing the social dynamics of his era, frequently using the visual medium to complement or critique the stage productions of his contemporaries. This work connects the powerful cultural forces of satire and popular theatre that defined early Georgian England.

Though many of Hogarth’s original designs were widely distributed during his lifetime, later impressions like this 1792 print continued to circulate, keeping his satirical vision available to a wide public. As a significant example of early English prints, this etching demonstrates the artistic flexibility and economic importance of the medium for disseminating both visual art and functional items. The work is classified as a print and currently resides in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the age and enduring artistic relevance of Hogarth’s work, prints derived from his original designs are often available in the public domain, allowing broad access to the historical documentation of eighteenth-century theatre and society embedded within this small, functional object.