Fine Arts, UBC Library |
| Hogarth's Analysis of Beauty, 1753. |
The Painter and his Pug (detail). |
William Hogarth, 1697-1764.
In addition to producing some of the most important paintings and engravings in the 18th century, Hogarth campaigned to improve the status of the artist. He showed that artists could be independent of wealthy patrons by publishing engravings based on their own paintings. During his lifetime Hogarth saw England emerge as the most prosperous country in Europe. More people had access to learning and involvement in public affairs. There was a rapid growth in all types of printed words and images. Social criticism abounded. The country was obsessed with the tension between liberty and libertinism, between the notions of self-improvement and personal opportunism |
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| The Analysis of Beauty. by William Hogarth. London: Printed by J. Reeves for the author, 1753. |
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| The Analysis of Beauty: A New Edition. by Willliam Hogarth. London: Printed by W. Strahan for Mrs. Hogarth. 1772. | |
| The Analysis of Beauty (1753) was the first treatise in Europe to make formal values its central theme. Some of its ideas:
Line of beauty Respect for nature Appeal to the general reader
Note: Hogarth's quotations are from The Analysis of Beauty. |
Critical Reception of The Analysis of Beauty. A torrent of controversy and discussion ensued. Critics included the view painter and caricaturist Paul Sandby (1725-1809), who produced a series of etchings lampooning Hogarth's ideas. In spite of his fellow artists' abuse, The Analysis of Beauty was received favourably. A German edition was printed in 1754 and an Italian in 1761. "I sufferd [sic] more uneasiness from the abuse it occations [sic] me than satisfaction from its successs altho [sic] it was nothing less than I expected as may be seen by my preface to that work." (Hogarth Autobiographical notes c1764, 203) To Mr. Hogarth on his Analysis of Beauty Hogarth, thy Fate is fix'd; the (Murphy 1753) |
| Bibliography
Clayton, Tim. The English print, 1688-1802. New Haven, Conn.: Published for the Paul Craske, Matthew. William Hogarth. Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, c2000. Hogarth, William. The Analysis of Beauty. London: Printed by J Reeves for the author, 1753. Hogarth, William. "Autobiographical notes." London: British Library, Add. MS. 27991, Hogarth, William. London Evening Post, 20 June-2 July 1752). Lichtenberg, G. C. Lichtenberg's Commentaries on Hogarth's engravings; translated from Murphy, Arthur. "Bedford Coffee-house, Dec. 12." Gray's Inn Journal, 38, 15 December 1753. Paulson, Ronald. Hogarth; his life, art and times. New Haven, Conn.: Published for the Paul Whitworth Art Gallery. William Hogarth (1697-1764), the artist and the city. Manchester :
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| Location: Fine Arts Library
Date: Winter 2001/2002 |
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