The Invasion, France 1756

William Hogarth created this etching, titled "The Invasion, France," as part of a series of satirical prints. It's worth remembering that Hogarth lived during a period of intense political rivalry between England and France. This image offers a window into the social and political climate of 18th-century England, fueled by fear of French invasion. The print uses visual codes to caricature the French as Papist and tyrannical. The image is full of cultural references meant to ridicule French society. Look closely and you’ll see the poverty-stricken soldiers, and the monk with an axe ready to destroy English symbols like Magna Carta. Hogarth critiques what he views as the backwardness and religious zealotry of France, contrasting it with English liberty and Protestant values. To fully understand this image, research into the Anglo-French relations of the 1700s, and the history of anti-Catholic sentiment in England is helpful. Hogarth’s work acts as a reminder that art often reflects and shapes public opinion during times of conflict.