William Hogarth

Question 1

Gin Lane

Answer 1

1750 in England

• Works like this existed to make art more accessible to the English people
• The piece is a response to the gin epidemic that took place in first half of the 18th century
• The epidemic lead to a rise in alcoholism and violence due to the low price of gin
• The piece is imaginary yet it conveys a typical English town
• Currently in the British Museum in London

Question 2

Beer Street

Answer 2

1750 in England

• Works like this existed to make art more accessible to the English people
• Currently in the British Museum of London
• The piece is the antithesis of Gin Lane due to scenes of health, peace, and productivity
• Hogarth made this piece to demonstrate his pride for England
• In England, beer was higher priced thus making it harder to be abused

Question 3

The Marriage Contract

Answer 3

1743 in England

• Currently in the National Gallery in London
• Apart of a series of six satirical paintings called Marriage a la mode
• Depicts the signing of an arranged marriage contract in which the two getting married aren’t interested
• The Earl of Squander is the one behind this arranged marriage and needs it to happen in order to pay for his new building
• The man next to the young wife is counselor Silvertonge who’s trying to talk her into the marriag