“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. Continue reading →