The Sleeping Congregation 1736

"The Sleeping Congregation" (1736) is an etching by English artist William Hogarth, known for his satirical commentary on societal issues. This engraving depicts a scene of a church service where the congregation, including the priest, is asleep. The work satirizes the lack of engagement and piety in religious services, highlighting Hogarth's social commentary on the hypocrisy of the 18th-century English society. The visual details, including the sleeping figures, the bored expressions, and the overall atmosphere of apathy, effectively convey Hogarth's message of social critique.