William Hogarth is one of the greatest English artists of 18th century. His extraordinary talent made him be admired by thousands of people, who treasure real art. Hogarth was a founder of a completely new genre – moral history, which was known as Hogarthian. He wrote a book “Analysis of Beauty”, in which he described the principles of his art. In this book he is focused upon the practical origins of beauty and elegance. Describing and analyzing the elements of beauty, he wants to make beauty accessible and understandable by everyone.
William Hogarth gave a special place to children in his drawings. One of the brightest examples of his affection for children is his outstanding picture “The Graham Children” (1742). The artist's tenderness comes out in his portraits of the children of a wealthy squire. This work is considered one of the Hogarth’s most brilliant and accomplished works. Hogarth has shown in this picture the innocence and transience of chi
According to the research done by me the picture illustrates children of Daniel Graham, who was apothecary to the royal household. In the corner of the picture there is a youngest child, sitting on the chair, beside which there is a basket with fruits. It is said that the child had been dead when the picture was being painted. And Hogarth portrays him as if he were alive.
The other girl, that is in the middle looks very happy and pleased with something, which is not described in the picture. She is dressed formally and she is holding her dress as if she was bowing to someone or dancing. This girl is described by Mary Webster in her book “Hogarth” as “one of Hogarth’s loveliest images of a child: Smooth skinned, bright eyed, with all the gayety of Rococo flowers and leaves scattered in patches of bright color which glow on her hair and dress”.
ldhood, the beauty of naïve and untroubled children. The simplicity and forwardness of how the picture
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