William Hogarth

William Hogarth's Noon (Four Times of The Day): Noon sets the lives of the English working classes against the foppish aristocracy. The clock on the tower of St. Giles-in-the-Fields reads 11:30. To the right a congregation exists from the church. An aristocratic man, woman and child are consumed by posing and preening. Their garb and postures seem all the more absurd when one discovers the dead cat beside the man's foot. In the background another outrageously dressed child appears to be wearing a beehive on her head.

The other side of the street is dominated by the working classes. Instead of a church are taverns and an eating house. In place of fashion and affectation is conflict and passion. A little boy has spilt his pie and is crying. A girl grabs for the remains. Behind them a couple engage in awkward, amorous activities. Above them, in a window, a couple fight over a meal and end up losing it. Life on both sides of the street seems to have its pitfalls.

The Four Times of the Day was first published by William Hogarth in 1738. Three plates from the set were both designed and engraved by him. The remaining plate, Evening, was designed by William Hogarth but engraved by Bernard Baron, a French engraver who resided in London. The Four Times of the Day delineates London life and entertainments and ranks as one of Hogarth's greatest sets

Noon was both designed and engraved by William Hogarth. This original engraving and etching is printed upon early nineteenth century wove paper and with large, full margins as published by William Heath in 1822. It is a fine, original example of the satirical art created by the British artist, William Hogarth. Noon; Paulson Catalogue #153, Second and Final State (Complete Set of Four Original Engravings).