A Harlot's Progress, Plate 4 1732

This engraving, "A Harlot's Progress, Plate 4," is part of a six-part series created by William Hogarth in 1732. This particular plate depicts the protagonist, Moll Hackabout, in a state of despair as she is arrested for her immoral lifestyle, highlighting the social commentary and moralizing themes prevalent in Hogarth's work. The scene takes place in a crowded, cramped room, emphasizing the harsh realities faced by those living on the fringes of society. The etching's detailed depiction of the characters and their surroundings is typical of Hogarth's style, known as "The Rake's Progress" and "Marriage à-la-Mode".