Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case GG, Shelf 75, Box C

Print

1780 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is one of a set of six prints telling the story of Harriet Heedless, a county girl who arrives in town looking for a position as a servant, only to be duped into becoming a 'kept woman' and later descending into prostitution and poverty. This set, published in 1780, is based on an earlier set by William Hogarth entitled 'The Harlot's Progress' (1732) and shows how his influence on printmaking remained strong fifty years on.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Etching and engraving
Brief description
Print from a set of six 'The Modern Harlot's Progress or the Adventures of Harriet Heedless', printed by Carington Bowles, London; British, 1780.
Physical description
Harriet Heedless sits on a couch with the Rake, both dressed in riding outfits. Harriet is attended by a black boy-servant who holds up a tray with a glass of wine. A footman spies round the open doorway. A dog sits on the couch with his feet on the Rakes knee. They room is well-furnished room with arabesque patterned carpet, a table on which is a decanter of drink and glass, a dressing table with mirror. On the wall are two landscape paintings depicting a bridge (left) and a sailing boat on a lake (right) and an oval mirror.

The room has two windows. Through one can be seen a Phaeton with woman and coachman driving past the house.
Dimensions
  • Sheet height: 20.9cm
  • Sheet width: 27.9cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Harriet in High Keeping, equip'd in a Riding Habit, attended by a Black; the Footman peeping at her with intent to deliver her a Letter privately. (across bottom below image)
  • Printed for & Sold by Carington Bowles, at his Map & Print Warehouse, No. 69 in St Pauls Church Yard, London. Published as the Act directs, 15 May 1780 (across bottom below image and description)
  • 99 (numbered bottom right corner below image)
  • 3 (numbered top right corner above image)
Object history
RP No. 92/2553
Subjects depicted
Summary
This is one of a set of six prints telling the story of Harriet Heedless, a county girl who arrives in town looking for a position as a servant, only to be duped into becoming a 'kept woman' and later descending into prostitution and poverty. This set, published in 1780, is based on an earlier set by William Hogarth entitled 'The Harlot's Progress' (1732) and shows how his influence on printmaking remained strong fifty years on.
Associated objects
Bibliographic reference
British Museum. Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires. London. 1870-1954.
Collection
Accession number
E.536-1993

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Record createdMarch 19, 2009
Record URL
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