The Third Stage of Cruelty: Cruelty in Perfection

Print made by William Hogarth, 1697–1764, British, The Third Stage of Cruelty: Cruelty in Perfection, 1751

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Creator:

Print made by William Hogarth, born in London, England, 1697; active in England; died in London, England, 1764
after William Hogarth, born in London, England, 1697; active in England; died in London, England, 1764

Title:

The Third Stage of Cruelty: Cruelty in Perfection

Additional Title(s):

The Third Stage of Cruelty: Cruelty in Perfection - The Murder

Part Of:

Collective Title: The Four Stages of Cruelty

Date:

1751

Materials & Techniques:

Etching and engraving on thick, smooth, cream wove paper

Dimensions:

Sheet: 24 7/8 x 19 1/4 inches (63.2 x 48.9 cm), Plate: 15 1/4 x 12 3/4 inches (38.7 x 32.4 cm), Image: 14 x 11 3/4 inches (35.6 x 29.8 cm)

Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:

Inscribed in graphite, lower right: "76"

Lettered above image, upper center: "CRUELTY IN PERFECTION."; inside image, lower center: "Here lieth | the Body"; inside image, lower left: "Dear Tommy | My Mistress has been | the best of Women to me, and my | Conscience flies in my face as | often as I think of wronging her, | yet I am resolv'd to venture Body | & Soul to do as you would have me | so don't fail to meet me as you | said you would. For I shall | bring along with me all the | things I can lay my hands on, | so no more at present | but I remain yours till | Death, Ann Gill."; lower left: "To Thos. Nero | at P-"; inside image, lower center: "A. G. | GOD's | Revenge | against | Murder"; below image, lower left: "Price 1 s."; below image, lower left: "To lawless Love when once betray'd, | Soon Crime to Crime Succeeds: | At length beguil'd to Theft, the Maid | By her Beguiler bleeds."; lower center: "Yet learn, seducing Man, nor Night, | With all its sable Cloud, | Can screen the guilty Deed from Sight; | Foul Murder cries aloud."; lower right: "The gaping Wounds, and bloodstain'd Steel, | Now shock his trembling Soul: | But Oh! what Pangs his Breast must feel, | When Death his Knell shall toll."; lower center: "Published according to Act of Parliament Feb.1.1751"; lower right: "Design'd by W.Hogarth."

Credit Line: