Four Prints of an Election - An Election Entertainment (1), Canvassing for Votes (2), The Polling (3), Chairing the Members (4). by William Hogarth, 1697-1764

William Hogarth, 1697-1764
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Four Prints of an Election - An Election Entertainment (1), Canvassing for Votes (2), The Polling (3), Chairing the Members (4).

A complete set of the four etchings with engraving in black ink. 1755/58. An extremely fine and rare set of matched early lifetime impressions.
Ref: Paulson - Hogarth's Graphic Works nos. 198-201
a) An Election Entertainment - Engraved by Hogarth. Rare impression between state ii and iii of iv, before changes to the flag but with the framed escutcheon over the door etc.
b) Canvassing for Votes - Engraved by Grignion. Early impression before the removal of the lion's teeth and various amounts of shading. State v of vi.
c) The Polling - Engraved by Hogarth and LeCave. Early impression before the addition of the words 'Milieu Bill' to the one-legged man's coat in the foreground. State ii of iii.
d) Chairing the Members - Engraved by Hogarth and Aviline. Lifetime impression, as completed. State iii of iii.

Extremely fine rich impressions. On pale cream heavy laid 18th century paper. Generally extremely fine condition; some very minor nicks in the margins only, slight time soiling. Trimmed just inside platemark, as was often the case with lifetime impressions which were either framed or displayed separate from an album. ((Plate 1 has approx. 1/8 inch margins beyond the plate mark.) Sheets: each c.17 1/8 x 21 ž ins. (434x554mm)

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Extremely scarce as a complete early set.

This set of engravings, one of the most famous in Hogarth's oeuvre, was based on the series of paintings which he sold to the actor Garrick. In the pictures, as in the prints, Hogarth was highlighting the extent to which elections were fixed and manipulated by unscrupulous politicians.

Hogarth took many of the incidents from the notorious Oxfordshire election of 1754. In 'An Election Entertainment' the politicians are encouraging popular entertainment which becomes almost a riot. In 'Canvassing for Votes' the Whig and Tory candidates vie with each other with monetary bribery as well as free alcohol. In 'The Polling' every possible voter is brought to the polling booth including the lame, the blind and even the dead (on the steps in the background). In 'Chairing the Members' the triumphant candidates are carried aloft but touches like the goose, rather than a triumphal eagle, suggest the hollow nature of the election victory.

See also the notes on Hogarth with 'The Laughing Audience'.