The New Metamorphosis: Frontispiece, Vol.1 1723 - 1724

"The New Metamorphosis: Frontispiece, Vol. 1" is an etching by British artist William Hogarth, dating to 1723-1724. It is a frontispiece for the first volume of a satirical series of engravings that lampooned the follies of contemporary society. The image showcases Hogarth's characteristic use of caricature and detailed symbolism, featuring a scene of fantastical transformation where figures are depicted as half-human, half-animal, surrounded by allegorical figures and symbols. The scene is framed by a pair of draped figures and a small church, emphasizing the central theme of societal change and the shifting moral landscape of 18th-century England.