A Scene from The Beggar's Opera 1728 - 1729

William Hogarth created "A Scene from The Beggar's Opera" using oil paint on canvas, a common medium for the time. But don't let the traditional materials fool you. Hogarth was a master of social commentary, and this painting is no exception. The relatively smooth texture of the paint allows for fine details, essential for capturing the expressions and costumes of the figures. Notice the stage setting, complete with prison bars in the background. This is a scene from a play poking fun at the upper classes, using the lives of criminals to mirror the corruption of the wealthy. Hogarth, trained as an engraver, uses the canvas to create a scene in which the world of the stage mirrored the world of the audience. In doing so, Hogarth elevated everyday life to the level of high art, blurring the boundaries between the two, and highlighting the labor and social conditions of his time. By emphasizing the materials and context, we recognize its true significance.