After 1736

This print, “After,” was made by William Hogarth in the mid-18th century using etching and engraving. These are both printmaking processes that involve using tools to cut lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Hogarth was a master of this technique, using it to create detailed and often satirical images of contemporary life. Here, the starkness of the monochrome enhances the sense of disarray and moral decay. The medium itself becomes part of the message: printmaking allowed Hogarth to produce and distribute his work widely, making it accessible to a broad audience, beyond the wealthy elite. This was a new phenomenon; artists could make a living by selling images directly to the public. This print, with its commentary on social mores and class relations, exemplifies how new modes of production changed the very nature of art, connecting it to a wider world of labor, politics, and consumption. By understanding the material and social context of Hogarth's prints, we gain a deeper appreciation of their enduring impact.