Analysis of Beauty, Plate 1
Analysis of Beauty, Plate 1
Analysis of Beauty, Plate 1
Analysis of Beauty, Plate 1

Currently not on view

Analysis of Beauty, Plate 1,

1753

William Hogarth, 1697–1764; born and died London, England
x1988-73
The satirical painter and engraver William Hogarth created this engraving as the first of two plates that illustrate his book The Analysis of Beauty, published in 1753. In seventeen chapters, Hogarth discussed six aesthetic principles of beauty as they might be appreciated by the common man. In this thesis, Hogarth identifies a serpentine line—the line of beauty—as being unique because it "leads the eye in a pleasing manner along the continuity of its variety." For any artist, Hogarth concludes, the realization of such a line requires a "lively movement" of the hand as well as "the assistance of the imagination, or the help of a figure."

Information

Title
Analysis of Beauty, Plate 1
Dates

1753

Maker
William Hogarth
Medium
Etching and engraving
Dimensions
plate: 38.8 x 50.9 cm (15 1/4 x 20 1/16 in.) sheet: 49 × 65.5 cm (19 5/16 × 25 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. William H. Walker II
Object Number
x1988-73
Reference Numbers
Paulson (1964) 195; Paulson (1989) 195
Culture
British, European
Type
engravings, etchings, prints
Subject
faces, statues, analysis and testing techniques, beauty, sketches, nudes

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