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February 22, 2007
This image portrays a society ruined by drink and in it Hogarth ridicules the English. Hogarth is widely acknowledged as the master of that tradition of English satire that holds up a distorting mirror wherein those depicted see themselves more clearly. What is depicted is the abuse of spirits by the working classes and the poor.
William Hogarth, Gin Lane, 1750
The print was produced as part of a campaign to restrict the sale of gin (and bad taste in art), the effects of which are graphically depicted here: buildings are allowed to go derelict, children die from neglect, the honest businessman hangs himself for lack of trade, the pawnbroker prospers, the gin manufacturer thrives, the coffin maker does excellent business and the general population create mayhem.
The satirical tradition continues:
Martin Rowson, child wellbeing, 2007
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