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HOGARTH HARLOT PLATE 4
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HOGARTH HARLOT PLATE 4
The Harlots Progress 4. Hogarths Harlot in Bridewell Prison. Date: 1732
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Media ID 20146849
© Bubblepunk
1732 Bridewell Hemp Hogarth Hogarths Prison Prisons Progress Stocks Harlot Harlots
EDITORS COMMENTS
Hogarth's Harlot in Bridewell Prison: A Tale of Law and Redemption (Plate 4, The Harlot's Progress, 1732) William Hogarth's iconic series, The Harlot's Progress, is a powerful visual narrative of the downward spiral of a young woman's life, from her fall into prostitution to her ultimate demise. In this haunting image from Plate 4, we find the harlot, now known as Moll, in Bridewell Prison. Bridewell Prison, established in 1555, was one of the first institutions in Britain designed to reform rather than punish. It was a place of confinement for the 'disorderly poor,' including vagrants, petty criminals, and prostitutes. The prison's primary objective was to provide a temporary shelter, food, and clothing, while also offering opportunities for education, training, and rehabilitation. In this scene, Moll is shown being led into the prison by a prison officer. She is dressed in a shabby, tattered gown, her once-beautiful face now marred by the ravages of a life on the streets. In her hand, she clutches a playing card, a poignant reminder of her past as a prostitute. To her left, we see other inmates engaged in various activities. Some are being punished in the stocks, while others are being taught a trade or mending clothes. In the background, a group of women are shown spinning hemp, a common occupation for female prisoners. The atmosphere in the prison is one of somber introspection, with the inmates seemingly contemplating their past mistakes and the possibility of a better future. Moll, however, seems lost in thought, her gaze fixed on the ground as she ponders the consequences of her actions. This powerful image serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities of life in 18th-century Britain and the importance of redemption and rehabilitation. Hogarth's masterful use of storytelling through art continues to resonate with audiences today, making The Harlot's Progress a timeless work of art and social commentary.
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