Life summary: Born to Richard Hogarth, a Latin teacher, and Anne Gibbons. He was apprenticed into the engraving trade, eventually rising out of poverty to create his own engravings. His career led him to a variety of paintings, many becoming popular during his lifetime. In 1729 he married Jane Thornhill, and though no children were produced, they fostered several during their lifetimes. He was an active member of the Freemasons until his death in 1764.
Major Works: The Lottery, A Just View of the British Stage, A Harlot's Progress, A Rake's Progress, Marriage à-la-mode
Social Context: Hogarth rose from an impoverished family because of his artistic talent. His work depicted a variety of social spheres; from the lowly street urchin to the affluent lady, Hogarth had experienced them all at one point in time. His social standing granted him access, while his childhood allowed him to see other aspects of English culture.
18th Century Lit. Importance: The field of visual arts benefitted from Hogarth's work. His engravings shaped a genre that depicted everyday life in London, one often ignored by the upper class.
As Riding notes, "...Hogarth's work habitually represented a complex interaction between high and low culture, which mirrored his own identity as both satirist and gentleman artist and indicated that his primary aim was the exclusive collector's market" (Riding 1). This juxtaposition shows Hogarth's talent for depicting common scenes that would be familiar to 18th century audiences.