The artwork under discussion is titled “The Bench,” created by William Hogarth in 1758. Executed as an engraving on paper, this piece falls within the Baroque art movement and is classified as a caricature. The current location of this artwork is in a private collection.
A detailed examination of “The Bench” reveals a judicial setting depicted through exaggerated features typical of a caricature. The central figures, presumably judges, are adorned in elaborate judicial wigs and attire, their faces marked with grotesque and distinguished expressions. Above the main figures are detailed studies of various facial profiles, offering a comparative analysis of character and caricature, as explained in the detailed textual commentary below the image. Hogarth’s skillful rendering captures both the individuality and the satirical essence of each subject, inviting viewers to reflect on the delicate balance between realism and exaggeration in art.
