The Idle 'Prentice Betrayed by his Whore and Taken into a Night Cellar with his Accomplice: Industry and Idleness, plate 9 1747

"The Idle 'Prentice Betrayed by his Whore and Taken into a Night Cellar with his Accomplice" is the ninth plate in William Hogarth's series Industry and Idleness (1747). It depicts a scene from the story of the idle apprentice, who is led astray by a prostitute and ends up in a night cellar with his accomplice. Hogarth's engravings are known for their moralizing tone and detailed depictions of everyday life, and this work is no exception. The scene is filled with detail, from the figures themselves to the objects in the room. The use of light and shadow adds to the drama of the scene, creating a sense of claustrophobia. This work is an example of Hogarth's mastery of the genre of social satire, and continues the story of the idle apprentice.