We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Time smoking a picture

1761

Artist

William Hogarth

England

10 Nov 1697 – 25 or 26 October 1764

Artist profile

  • Details

    Date
    1761
    Media category
    Print
    Materials used
    etching and mezzotint
    Dimensions
    24.7 x 18.5 cm platemark; 42.5 x 29.2 cm sheet
    Signature & date

    Not signed. Not dated.

    Credit
    Purchased 1952
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    8658
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

    Artist information
    William Hogarth

    Artist profile

    Works in the collection

    32

    Share
  • About

    This is Hogarth's most consciously learned image, using quotations from classical texts to support his challenge to the gentlemanly taste for old and darkened Italian paintings. From the 1730s onwards he railed consistently against the taste for dubious old master paintings authenticated by dealers and 'dark masters'. Time's scythe pierces the canvas, making the point that time is not a beautifier but a destroyer.

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 2 exhibitions

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 1 publication

Other works by William Hogarth

See all 32 works