Plate 8, The Industrious ‘Prentice Grown Rich and Sheriff of London
1747
William Hogarth loved a good moral tale, and this print is the happy ending to his famous series 'Industry and Idleness.' Here we see Francis Goodchild, the model apprentice, who has worked his way up to become the Sheriff of London. He stands proudly in ceremonial robes, reading a proclamation, while the city's elite gorge themselves at a banquet in the background. It's a classic Hogarth scene—full of bustling detail and a subtle jab at the gluttony of the wealthy, proving that hard work pays off, even if the rewards involve a lot of rich food!
- Technique
- Engraving
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