Rake's Progress' The Gaming House by William Hogarth

Rake's Progress' The Gaming House 1735

williamhogarth

allegories

sky

symbol

sculpture

possibly oil pastel

oil painting

acrylic on canvas

underpainting

painting painterly

surrealist

portrait art

watercolor

fine art portrait

"The Gaming House" is one of eight paintings in William Hogarth's series "A Rake's Progress" (1735). The artwork depicts a young man, likely Tom Rakewell, the series' protagonist, losing his fortune in a gambling den. The scene is filled with various characters engaged in vices, creating a chaotic and morally ambiguous atmosphere. Hogarth's satirical style exposes the dangers of gambling and the folly of the wealthy. The painting's detailed composition and realistic portrayal of 18th-century London life contribute to its lasting popularity.