William Hogarth

William Hogarth's original engraving, An Election Entertainment is plate 1 from the set of Four Prints of an Election. The opening scene takes place at a riotous Whig election banquet. Standing in opposition to the policies of King George III, someone from this party has slashed his portrait which hangs prominently on the back wall. Two Whig candidates sit at the head of the table, to the left, under the flag that reads, "Liberty and Loyalty". The first appears quite effeminate and, according to the petition being given him is named, 'Sir Commodity Taxem'. He is patiently enduring a kiss from a rotund, toothless woman. Her face is being pushed into his by a pipe-smoking prankster who burns Sir Commodity's wig. As well, a little girl examines a ring she has just stolen from his finger. The second candidate appears next to the first. He is assaulted by two drunks who both maul him. Behind them two men compete for the favours of a lady.

Travelling around the table we see a fat clergyman surrounded by food and drink. He appears to be losing his wig as the disorderly members of the orchestra are invited to drink. Next to them (at the second table) sit a trio of idiots who share a bottle of Burgundy. The furthest is making faces with his handkerchief, to the delight of the other two. Horrified by the many disgusting scenes around him the next man stares open eyed into space. Finally, at the end of the table, the Lord Mayor has expired due to overeating oysters. A physician attempts to revive him by bleeding his right arm.

Behind the mayor an election officer attempts to bribe a poor tailor, whose hands are cupped in the pose of a saint. His spiritual and moral convictions are further compromised by his wife and child. His son points to a gaping hole in his shoe. In front of them another election officer has just been struck in the head with a brick. His ledger is open on the pages of "Sure Votes" and "Doubtfull". In the centre foreground are two soldiers recently returned from battle. The boy who is filling a tub of punch looks on in amazement as one pours gin into the head wound of the other. His head appears to be quite empty as it is retaining all the liquid.

Outside an opposing Tory procession passes. Some throw rocks through the broken window. Whigs have armed themselves with chamber pots and stools.

Four Prints of an Election consists of four related engravings published by William Hogarth from February, 1755 to February, 1758. It represents Hogarth's last great set of engravings and is loosely based upon the riotous Oxfordshire election of 1754, where the Whig candidate, the Duke of Marlborough, challenged the incumbent Tories. As in most of Hogarth's works of art, however, the series is not concerned with a particular event but aims to uncover political and aristocratic methods to bribe, coerce and generally exploit the populace. Thus this eighteenth century election shares many similar chords with our contemporary politicians and voters.

William Hogarth engraved plate 1 by himself and assisted other engravers in plates 3 and 4. For mainly background work, however, he commissioned the technical expertise of other engravers working in London to complete the series. They are, Charles Grignion, the Elder (born, 1717 - died, 1810), (plate 2), Francois Morellon de la Cave 'Le Cave' (1706-1766;fl), (plate 3), and Francois Antoine Aveline 'F. Aviline' (Paris, 1718/27? - London, 1780), (plate 4).

An Election Entertainment, Four Prints of an Election, Plate 1 was both designed and engraved by William Hogarth. This original engraving is printed upon early nineteenth century wove paper and with large, full margins as published by William Heath in 1822. It is a fine, original example of the satirical art created by the British artist, William Hogarth. An Election Entertainment, Plate I; Paulson Catalogue #198, Eighth and Final State from Four Prints of an Election (Complete set of Four Original Engravings).