A Harlot's Progress, Plate 1 1732

This is Plate 1 of "A Harlot's Progress" made by William Hogarth sometime in the 1730s. Here, we find ourselves at the beginning of a story, a cautionary tale, etched in meticulous detail. Hogarth was a keen observer of the societal tapestry, particularly attuned to the lives of those navigating its complex margins. In this print, a young woman, newly arrived in London from the countryside, is intercepted by a procuress. Consider the historical context: London was a city of opportunity, yet fraught with peril for women without means. Hogarth presents us with the stark reality of gender and class, where a woman’s virtue becomes a commodity. He challenges conventional morality by revealing the economic underpinnings of sexual exploitation. The image resonates with the anxieties of the time, reflecting both the allure and the dangers faced by women seeking independence. This is not just a moral lesson; it's a social commentary, a mirror held up to a society grappling with its own contradictions.