Tom Farrugia, Kim Deguara, Marija Gauci

Module 5 Task 1 (first) - Short reflective essay on theoretical writings by

historic author:
i)ii) William Hogarth was very much influenced by the 18 th century, and so began
developing cartoons which later he moved to satirical caricatures. As well as
paintings on mortality and middle-class values, including biblical/historical
pieces, and realistic engravings illustrating his concerns. He believed that
aesthetic quality in art is highly important to define grace. He believed that
British morals in particularly were deteriorating, therefore all his work reflected
politics, art, literature and the theatre.

A Harlot's Progress

It is essential to point out that during this period; the Rococo style was emerging
in England and France, where it embodied curves, linearity and intricate
decoration. The social scene depicted in his works differs from the lives of most
rich aristocrats to those of a low-class in poverty. Artists were inspired and this
brought him to sell works in diversity, where anyone could afford to buy his
engravings.

Tom Farrugia, Kim Deguara, Marija Gauci

A Rake's Progress

His style and technique revolved around the formal elements. He used a warm
palette giving importance to shadow whilst creating movement; structured
composition to create a busy scenario to narrate lifestyles; following lose brush
strokes. The work also conveyed moral messages and symbolism.
In 1753, Hogarth wrote the Analysis of Beauty, which illustrates his theories on
the main principals of Beauty.
iii) Of Hogarths four discernible writings on art theory, the most relevant and
structured of these was his 1754 tract An Analysis of Beauty. Despite his
general anti-academic slant and championing the common sense of the artist
over the hypothesising of scholars, so much of his Analysis was researched and
written through friends and colleagues that the legitimate authorship of the work
is held in question.
In this respect, Hogarth attempted to assert his own ideas of taste and beauty
over that of non-practicing writers in an empirical and somewhat more accessible
manner. He did this in part by relating his plain sense view of beauty in
functionality, as well as by observing and understanding the element of Grace
through the formal elements and principles of the visual arts.

Plate 1

The prior being colour, line, proportion, composition, attitude and action, and the
latter comprising (more vaguely) of fitness, variety, uniformity, simplicity,
intricacy and quantity.
Due to the conflicting nature of many of the
aforementioned principles, the 18 th century British ideals of politeness dictated
that they should all be balanced and tempered with moderation to avoid
becoming what could today be referred to as kitsch. Interestingly, Hogarth
references mans need for variety and intricacy as a fundamental of evolutionary
psychology, indicating that it reflects a natural curiosity or thrill of the hunt, as in
animals. Similarly he feels that mankind needs beauty and Grace out of a
natural need for variety of sensual experience.

Tom Farrugia, Kim Deguara, Marija Gauci

Serpentine lines in a plate from The Analysis of Beauty

iv) A contemporary artist that can be compared to William Hogarths work is the
British artist Paula Rego (b. 1935). Although they dont share the same concepts
and Paula Rego isnt really considered satirical, they both depict narrative scenes
in a theatrical and slightly comical manner which reminds us of comic strips.
Satiric and morality can only be felt in the distortion and almost animalistic
figures for their lack of proportion.
Like Hogarth she experiment both with painting and print making were she gives
importance to the curvatures and movements in the images. Just like Hogarth
she also gives importance to the principles such as the setting and composition
in her work where everything is placed for a reason (intricacy). Her work varies
but she always keeps it simple and uniform in style but unlike Hogarth quantity
doesnt seem it is always important in her work. They dont always share the
same colour pallet, Paula Rego tends to be more experimental and colourful then
Hogarth but they both fall under a warm palette.

Tom Farrugia, Kim Deguara, Marija Gauci

Paula Rego

Bibliography:
Book:
Murray, C. (2003). Key writers on art. 1st ed. London: Routledge. pg. 17
Site:
William Hogarth | artble.com. 2014. William Hogarth | artble.com. [ONLINE] Available
at: http://www.artble.com/artists/william_hogarth.
Parts (i), (ii) Marija Gauci; Part (iii) Tom Farrugia Part (iv) Kim Deguara