A Harlot's Progress: Plate 5

Date1734

Designed and engraved by William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)

MediumEtching with line engraving

DimensionsOverall: 12 9/16 × 15 3/8in. (31.9 × 39.1cm) Other (Plate): 12 1/4 × 14 15/16in. (31.1 × 37.9cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1951-84

DescriptionLower margin reads: "Plate 5./ W.m Hogarth inv.t pinx.t et sculp.t"
Label TextA Harlot's Progress is a six-part series by William Hogarth was the first of his popular "modern moral subjects" which depicted current social issues and topics of great interest through visual narratives. A Harlot's Progress tells the story of Moll Hackabout, a young woman who is coerced or willingly enters into an ill-fated life of prostitution. In this fifth scene, Moll now dead or near death, wrapped in sweating blankets as two quack doctors argue over cures for venereal disease. The doctors are based on two well-known quack doctors Dr. Richard Rock and the leaner doctor is identified as Dr. Jean Misaubin. Both doctors invented ineffective cures for venereal disease. The woman who has come to prepare grave clothes, rifles through Moll's trunk of costumes. A child, Moll's son, sits at her feet.