Analysis of Beauty, Plate 1 1753

William Hogarth created this engraving, *Analysis of Beauty, Plate 1*, using metal plates. The images were incised into the metal, inked, and then printed on paper. This process was crucial to the print trade of the 18th century, allowing for the mass production of images. Hogarth presents a collection of images in a garden setting. From classical sculptures to fashion accessories like corsets, Hogarth scrutinizes the forms of beauty, breaking them down into their component curves and lines. The artist draws attention to the labor-intensive process of producing art and design. But he also highlights the commodification of beauty itself. Hogarth invites us to consider how beauty is constructed, marketed, and consumed in a rapidly changing society. He asks us to reflect on the relationship between artistic skill, mass production, and the economics of taste. Ultimately, he challenges us to consider how our own perceptions of beauty are shaped by the social and economic forces around us.