A Harlot's Progress, Plate I

A Harlot's Progress is a series of six paintings and engravings by the English artist William Hogarth.  The modern moral series was first published in print form in 1733, just after an official crackdown on prostitution had begun, focused specifically on Covent Garden.  They show the story of a young woman, Moll Hackabout, who arrives in London from the country alone and and vulnerable and is tricked into prostitution by a devious brothel keeper. 

The first plate of the series depicts Moll Hackabout, a country girl, arriving on the York Wagon and alighting outside the Bell Inn in London.  She is met and examined by the extravagantly dressed bawd, Mother Needham.  Behind them a clergyman on horseback fails to notice the encounter, unlike the lecherous nobleman, Colonel Charteris, who has come with his pimp to prey on the young girls arriving from the country.

This print is produced on St Cuthbert's Mill special acid free archival artboard.  The overall loose print size is 33cm x 24cm.  The framed print is presented in 20mm black wood archivist moulding, complete with rope hanger over hardboard back with a cream board mount.  The overall size is 43cm x 33cm.