The Harlot's Progress 2

The Harlot's Progress 2

William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)

Date: 1732
Dimensions:
310 x 375 mm
Medium: Etching and engraving
Object number: PT1091
DescriptionPrint form engraving titled " Quarrel with Proctector".

Plate II Quarrel with the Protector
Etching and Engraving.1732. 31.0 x 37.5 cm. State I
Engraver William Hogarth (1697-1764)
To allow the other man to escape Moll pushes over a table to distract the merchant's attention while her second lover tiptoes out of the room behind them.
This scene may be the turning point for Moll and her wealthy Jewish lover, who appears to finds out about the other man and rejects her.
A mask for a masquerade ball can be seen on her dressing table, demonstrating her busy social life amongst the upper classes.
Moll is now a kept woman, the mistress of a wealthy Jewish merchant and she lives in a well-appointed townhouse provided by him. From her poise and dress Moll has transformed from a naive country girl into a mistress, now used to living in relative luxury.
In this scene her wealthy lover has arrived unexpectedly while another man is visiting.
She has an African serving boy, a young female servant and a pet monkey. The monkey wearing his mistress' clothes is a comment on Moll's status as a kept creature.
Below plate: Plate 2. Wm. Hogarth invt.pinx.t.et.sculp.
1732. Paulson 121.
PT1091