The artwork titled “A Harlot’s Progress, plate 2,” created by William Hogarth in 1732, is an engraving on paper, measuring 30 x 36.8 cm. This piece belongs to the Rococo art movement and falls under the genre of genre painting. It is part of a series called “Harlot’s Progress” and is currently housed in the British Museum, London, UK.
In “A Harlot’s Progress, plate 2,” the scene is set in an opulently furnished room, richly detailed with ornate wallpaper and decorated with several framed paintings. The central figure, a young woman, dressed in elaborate attire, appears to be engaging a gentleman with a powdered wig seated beside her, likely an older patron or suitor. The chaotic nature of the room is emphasized by the broken items on the floor, including a large table prominently pushed aside. On the far left, an open doorway reveals two figures peeking through, while a small pet, resembling a monkey, lies on the floor in the foreground with various objects scattered around it. Each character’s facial expressions and actions suggest a narrative deeply embedded in social commentary, hallmarking Hogarth’s incisive critique of the moral behavior of his time.
