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The First Georgians: Art and Monarchy 1714-1760: The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace
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A Harlot's Progress

The six prints telling the cautionary story of Moll Hackabout, a harlot, were published in April 1732, the first of Hogarth’s ‘Modern Moral Subjects’. Hogarth intended the pictures to stand without accompanying text. The series had 1,240 subscribers and was so popular that pirated versions were quickly issued. In the Royal Collection by 1845 Cat. 86
William Hogarth (1697-1764)

A Harlot's Progress:Plate one 1732

Etching and engraving | 31.7 x 39.0 cm (platemark) | RCIN 811512.a

Master: A Harlot's Progress Item: A Harlot's Progress:Plate one

Moll Hackabout arrives in London and meets Mother Needham, a notorious procuress

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Moll Hackabout arrives in London and meets Mother Needham, a notorious procuress ©
William Hogarth (1697-1764)

A Harlot's Progress: Plate two 1732

Etching and engraving | 32.7 x 39.2 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 811512.b

Master: A Harlot's Progress Item: A Harlot's Progress: Plate two

Moll is mistress to a wealthy Jewish man. She creates a diversion to allow a second lover to escape

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Moll is mistress to a wealthy Jewish man. She creates a diversion to allow a second lover to escape ©
William Hogarth (1697-1764)

A Harlot's Progress: Plate three 1732

Etching and engraving | 33.6 x 40.3 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 811512.c

Master: A Harlot's Progress Item: A Harlot's Progress: Plate three

Moll, in a reduced state, takes tea while bailiffs enter her lodgings

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Moll, in a reduced state, takes tea while bailiffs enter her lodgings ©
William Hogarth (1697-1764)

A Harlot's Progress: Plate four 1732

Etching and engraving | 33.1 x 40.0 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 811512.d

Master: A Harlot's Progress Item: A Harlot's Progress: Plate four

Moll beats hemp in Bridewell Prison

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Moll beats hemp in Bridewell Prison ©
William Hogarth (1697-1764)

A Harlot's Progress: Plate five 1732

Etching and engraving | 33.3 x 40.4 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 811512.e

Master: A Harlot's Progress Item: A Harlot's Progress: Plate five

Moll is dying while two doctors argue over her treatment

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Moll is dying while two doctors argue over her treatment ©
William Hogarth (1697-1764)

A Harlot's Progress: Plate six 1732

Etching and engraving | 32.8 x 39.8 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 811512.f

Master: A Harlot's Progress Item: A Harlot's Progress: Plate six

Moll’s coffin is surrounded by a group of insincere mourners

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Moll’s coffin is surrounded by a group of insincere mourners ©
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