Hogarth, William, 1697-1764 :[Industry and idleness]. The idle 'prentice returned from sea & in a garret with a common prostitute. Plate 7. Design'd & engrav'd by Wm Hogarth. Publish'd according to Act of Parliam[en]t Sep 30 1747.

Idle is in bed with his mistress, `a common prostitute'. While she gloats over his highwayman's loot he starts up in bed, terrified at every sound. The cat chasing a rat down the chimney and the dislodged bricks make him sit up in bed, his hair on end and fear in his eyes. The bolted door is wedged by planks; the rat darts over a pair of crossed pistols lying beside a glass and bottle on the floor beside the bed. Phials on the mantel-piece show that sickness and disease are ever attendant in prostitution. To keep out the cold an old hoop petticoat has been placed across the window behind the broken bed.

Beneath the main image is a scriptural text in a cartouche. Leviticus, Chapter XXVI, Verse 36. The sound of a shaken leaf shall chace him.

Inscriptions: Recto - above image - Title

Tells the contrasting stories of two apprentice weavers, Goodchild and Idle. The series was aimed at the ordinary people, at the masters who would hang these prints in their shops and at their apprentices. Hogarth explained that they were `calculated for the use and instruction of those young people wherein everything necessary to be convey'd to them is fully described in words as well as figures'.

Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s).

Physical Description: Engraving, 266 x 344 mm (platemark), one of two engravings on cream wove paper, 652 x 485 mm