A Harlot's Progress, 3

WILLIAM HOGARTH
English, 1697-1764
A Harlot’s Progress, 3
etching and engraving, 1732
The William A. Whitaker Foundation Art Fund, 92.6.3

Plate three, an illustration of the prostitute Moll Hackabout’s humble levée, or morning toilette, in a Drury Lane garret, was the first image of A Harlot’s Progress conceived by Hogarth. It was painted prior to the conception of the narrative series.

According to an account by George Vertue, an engraver and contemporary of Hogarth who commented on other artists of his age, this image appealed to many a (male) visitor to Hogarth’s studio, and this was the impetus for the execution of the other five paintings and the resulting print series. Indeed the Moll of plate three is the most eroticized of the series, loosely dressed and languidly seated on the vehicle of her profession.

In the background of the scene, the magistrate has entered Moll’s garret to arrest her. At this moment, Moll is unaware of his presence. The viewer is invited to gaze on her like the magistrate, who observes Moll as he pauses in the doorway. However, Moll looks out to the viewer, thus undermining a sense of voyeurism as she solicits our participation in the scene.