DISCOVERART

William Hogarth

Plate four, from A Harlot's Progress

1732
Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
30.2 × 37.9 cm (11.9 × 14.9 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Arrested and thrown into prison, the now prominently pockmarked Moll proves inadequate to the physical labor of beating hemp for hangmen’s nooses. Amid cardsharps and debtors, she appears particularly out of place in her elaborate dress. But she seems destined for even more difficult straits, given that both her former servant and the jailer’s wife are seen here stealing from her.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by William Hogarth

The Wedding of Stephen Beckingham and Mary CoxThe Wedding of Stephen Beckingham and Mary CoxPlate two, from A Harlot's ProgressPlate two, from A Harlot's ProgressPlate three, from A Harlot's ProgressPlate three, from A Harlot's ProgressPlate six, from A Harlot's ProgressPlate six, from A Harlot's ProgressTime Smoking a PictureTime Smoking a PictureSarah MalcolmSarah MalcolmCredulity, Superstition, and FanaticismCredulity, Superstition, and FanaticismPaul Before Felix BurlesquedPaul Before Felix Burlesqued

More like this

[photo-reproduction of Hogarth's print illustrating the Dunciad, Book I, line III]Alfred Capel Cure — [photo-reproduction of Hogarth's print iThe Dance at the InnAdriaen van Ostade — The Dance at the InnComforts of Bath, Plate 4Thomas Rowlandson — Comforts of Bath, Plate 4Pea ShellersAnne Claude Philippe de Tubières, comte de Caylus|Edme BouchPlate from Illustrations to Popular SongsHenry Alken — Plate from Illustrations to Popular SongsThe Dance at the InnAdriaen van Ostade — The Dance at the InnThe Dance in the InnAdriaen van Ostade (Dutch, 1610–1684) — The Dance in the InnThe Engagement, Plate 14 from PastoralesClaudine Bouzonnet-Stella — The Engagement, Plate 14 from PaMiseries of Human Life: While Deep in Study and Lost in Thought in the Complicated Profession of a Taylor and All on a Sudden Disturbed by the Shrieks of a Woman Crying CucumbersNicolaus Heideloff|Thomas Rowlandson|Rudolph Ackermann, LondThe Sleeping FishmongerJean Louis André Théodore Géricault — The Sleeping FishmongeA Rake's Progress, Plate 3William Hogarth|Dr. John Hoadley — A Rake's Progress, Plate Strolling Actresses Dressing in a BarnWilliam Hogarth (British, 1697–1764) — Strolling Actresses D