The Harlot and the Virgin

Both suites of prints on the adjoining wall are picture-stories. Each follows a path from early innocence to misfortune and death, and there are striking parallels between some of the scenes depicted. But the contrast between Hogarth's tough-minded satire and the sentimental sweetness of Schall's illustrations reflects a drastic change in moral attitudes between the 1730s and the 1790s.

The world of Hogarth's Harlot's Progress, nominally Christian, is materialistic and merciless, but optimistic. Misfortune and death follow inevitably from folly and misdoing, but the corollary is presumably that virtue and intelligent behavior will be rewarded.

In Paul and Virginie, Nature is a bountiful mother, but virtue is no guarantee of happiness. Misfortune is forced on the innocent by the corruption of society. Relief can be found in the kindness and mutual love that the people of the story display to one another, but the ultimate consolation comes only in the hope of a better life beyond the grave.

Harlot's Progress series • Paul and Virginie series