Plate Two, from The Analysis of Beauty 1756 - 1761

William Hogarth created this print, "Plate Two, from The Analysis of Beauty" using etching and engraving—intaglio techniques that require skilled labor. Lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The visual complexity is striking, a scene of fashionable life bordered by abstract studies of form. Hogarth uses the print medium to analyze and dissect notions of beauty, contrasting organic and geometric shapes. This was a period when the production of images like these was on the rise, fueled by both technological advances and increasing consumer demand. The fine lines and tonal gradations speak to Hogarth’s mastery, while the mass production of prints reflects the burgeoning capitalist economy. The artwork is not just an aesthetic statement, but a cultural artifact embedded in social and economic structures of the 18th century. Paying close attention to these material and social factors allows us to understand the full depth of Hogarth’s artistic project.