The Fellow 'Prentices at their Looms: Industry and Idleness, plate 1 1747

This engraving, the first plate from William Hogarth's Industry and Idleness series, satirizes the social values of 18th-century England. It presents two apprentices at their looms, embodying contrasting paths in life. Hogarth, deeply concerned with the moral fabric of his time, uses visual cues to convey his message. Note the "idle" apprentice, surrounded by symbols of sloth and ruin, juxtaposed with his industrious counterpart diligently working, hinting at future success. The proverbs at the bottom further highlight the moral dichotomy. Made in 1747, a period of rapid social and economic change, this print reflects concerns about poverty and moral decay. Hogarth's work often critiqued the social structures and institutions of his time, using art as a means of social commentary. To fully appreciate Hogarth’s commentary, we can look at period publications and legal documents that shed light on the conditions of apprenticeship. This illuminates the public role of art as a mirror reflecting society's values and anxieties.