\paperw4995 \margr0\margl0 \plain \f1 \ATXsh255 English painter and engraver. \ATXsh4607 \par
\ATXsh255 After starting his career as an engraver of coats of arms, William Hogart
h devoted himself to painting, the engraving of satirical prints, and the illustration of books. One undoubtedly important aspect of his work was the painting of portraits, both of individuals and groups, which gave a considerable impetus to British port
raiture and earned him a modest reputation. Among the portraits he painted in his maturity were \i The Graham Children\i0 and the \i Self-portrait with a Dog\i0 . However, HogarthÆs success with the public emerged with his popular series of paintings of
contemporary subjects, interpreted in a satirical or moralizing key. These cycles of paintings (from which Hogarth also made many engravings) of various subjects commenced with the series \i A HarlotÆs Progress\i0 (1732), followed by those of the \i Ra
keÆs Progress\i0 (1735) and the \i Marriage α la Mode\i0 (1744). It is remarkable that Hogarth attained such wide-spread popularity, including not only intellectuals and the middle class, but also members of the lowest classes. His success was due to h
is ability to fuse an unquestionably thorough grasp of figurative culture with elements of a totally non-academic style (as in his popular prints and caricatures). To this was added his lucid and unprejudiced capacity for observation of the society of hi
s day and for subtle psychological insight. In this he displayed a markedly theatrical style, devising lively scenes of dramatic effect and rich in details, influenced by contemporary drama. Quite apart from the importance of his work, Hogarth should als
o be remembered for contributing to the creation of a new role for the artist, closer to that of the modern freelance than to that of the court painter. In fact he no longer worked with precise commissions, but was free to choose his own subject and styl
e, running the risk of failing to please the public. Another element symptomatic of HogarthÆs modernity was his extensive use of engraving. This method made his work available to a broader section of the public, and no longer confined it to the official
outlets of museums, art galleries, collectors, and aristocrats. Another of Hogarth's contributions in this sphere was his draft bill on copyright (never approved) thats intended to protect works of art from unauthorized copying.\ATXsh4607 \par
