Stand of arms and instruments 

William Hogarth made this engraving, "Stand of arms and instruments," in England to serve as a subscription ticket. His appeal to the public served the same purpose as the modern gallery system. The image creates meaning through Hogarth's visual codes and cultural references to symbols of state. The inclusion of instruments and arms alludes to the Jacobite rising, an event that threatened the monarchy and prompted a patriotic response. Hogarth's focus on this theme situates the artwork within the political tensions of its time. Looking at the institutions that shaped Hogarth's career, we can see how he challenged the artistic norms and aristocratic patronage of his time. His subscription model democratized art. Historians can use diverse resources, such as social and political documents, to better understand the artistic production of the time. Art's meaning is always influenced by its social and institutional context.