by-nc

Before

Maker

(artist)
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

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

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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