“William Hogarth at 250” ran through November 8th

California Stage sponsored a retrospective exhibition of 18th Century English artist William Hogarth’s etchings entitled “William Hogarth at 250″ as a commemoration of the artist’s death 250 years ago in October. The event included special tours of the works on Second Saturday evenings.

Best remembered for his moralistic series’ The Harlot’s Progress and The Rake’s Progress, Hogarth’s keenly observed pictorial critiques of 18th Century British life set the stage for modern political cartoonists the world over. His focus on the London middle class and working class experience, popular amusements, and personalities such as actor David Garrick give us a glimpse into lives rarely chronicled while demonstrating the satirical edge and dramatic flair now so essential to visual social critique.

Local collector and California Stage Producing Artistic Director Ray Tatar exhibited 55 etchings attributed to Hogarth including his portrait of actor David Garrick as Richard III, Strolling Actresses in a Barn, The Distressed Poet, and The Enraged Musician. Mr. Tatar gave special educational tours of the works on the two Second Saturdays during the exhibition.

The exhibition was open to the public free of charge Fridays and Saturdays 6:30-9:30pm, and Sundays 12:30pm-4:00pm, from October 10th to November 8th in the Sacramento Poetry Center Gallery at the R25 Arts Complex in Midtown. The gallery is located at 1725 25th Street, Sacramento, California 95816. Call 916-600-9536 for more information.