The Distrest Poet 1737

"The Distrest Poet," an etching by William Hogarth from 1737, depicts the chaotic life of a struggling poet. This print is part of Hogarth’s series "A Rake's Progress," which follows the rise and fall of a young man who squanders his inheritance. The central figure, the poet, is surrounded by clutter and domestic disarray, reflecting the disorder of his mind. His wife tries to engage him in conversation, while a dog and cat add to the scene's disheveled atmosphere. This humorous commentary on the life of an artist was highly popular in 18th-century England, and remains a fascinating glimpse into the societal expectations and realities of the time.