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Lot 63

HOGARTH, WILLIAM. 1697-1764.
Industry and Idleness. London: Published According to Act of Parliament, 30 September, 1747.

11 December 2020, 10:00 EST
New York

Sold for US$1,912.50 inc. premium

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HOGARTH, WILLIAM. 1697-1764.

Industry and Idleness. London: Published According to Act of Parliament, 30 September, 1747.
12 engraved prints, forming a complete series, 265 x 350 (Plates 1-10); 275 x 405 mm (Plates 11-12), most of the plates in Paulson's Second State. First plate a little darkened, Plate 11 with slight fraying to head edge, occasional corner creases or short closed tears (none affecting images), otherwise fine with ample margins.

A complete set of the famous moralizing plates issued in 1747 by William Hogarth. The 12 detailed and highly animated scenes, rich with symbolism, contrast the lives of an industrious apprentice and an idle apprentice, from their early days on the job to their ultimate destinies. The images are bordered by architectural frames decorated with allegorical elements, and a cartouche (or sometimes two) below the scene containing a quote from the Bible. Previously, he had published two similar series, "A Harlot's Progress" (1731) and "Marriage à-la-Mode" (1743), which he had painted first and then converted to copper-engraved plates. "Industry and Idleness," on the other hand, was created simply and solely as a set of engravings, each of the plates selling individually for a shilling. Paulson 168-179.

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