Before
Maker
(artist)
1697-1764
(engraver)
1697-1764
1697-1764
(engraver)
1697-1764
Title
Before
Date of Production
1736
Medium
medium : material : ink & support : material : paper
Dimensions
Height: 42.5 cm
Width: 31.3 cm
Width: 31.3 cm
Accession Number
G.1990.WL.2005
Mode of Acquisition
Witt Library, transfer, 1990
Credit
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Copyright
Work in the public domain
Location
Not currently on display
Keywords
Label Text
In a parody of the elegant scenes of seduction popular in French art of the period, Hogarth depicts in this engraving and its pendant, After, a less romantic encounter between a man and woman. Telling details, such as the paintings of Cupid holding lit and extinguished torches (symbolising the kindling and cooling of the man’s ardour), help decode the narrative. Although the woman appears to struggle, she has removed her corset in advance, suggesting the episode is not as straightforward as it appears. Hogarth first treated the subject in paired paintings, and used printmaking to disseminate a popular subject to a broader market.
Provenance
Information not yet known or updated
Exhibition History
Bruegel to Freud: Prints from The Courtauld Gallery, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 19/06/2014-21/09/2014
William Hogarth - Printmaker, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 23/02/2001-13/05/2001
Hogarth and Piranesi: Engravings and etchings, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 09/03/1992-07/06/1992
William Hogarth - Printmaker, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 23/02/2001-13/05/2001
Hogarth and Piranesi: Engravings and etchings, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 09/03/1992-07/06/1992
Inscriptions
Inscription: inscription : printed : lower margin & recto : : Invented Engraved (ampersand) Published Decbr ye 15th1736.by Wm Hogarth // Pursuant to an Act of Parliament Price two Shillings (ampersand) 6 pence.
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