A Rake's Progress, Plate VIII - The Madhouse

A Rake's Progress is a series of eight paintings and engravings by William Hogarth.  The series was first published in print form in 1735 and tells the story of the decline and fall of Tom Rakewell, a rich merchant's son, who comes to London and leads a life of debauchery resulting in imprisonment and ultimately being sectioned to bedlam madhouse.

'The Madhouse' is the eighth and final of the series and Tom Rakewell sadly ends his days languising in Bethlem Hospital (Bedlam), London's infamous mental asylum.  Faithful, yet heartlessly ignored, Sarah continues to try to comfort him.  Other fashionable young women are there to observe the inmates for entertainment.

This print is produced on St Cuthbert's Mill special acid free archival artboard.

The overall loose print size is 24cm x 33cm.

The framed print is presented in 20mm black wood archivist moulding, complete with rope hanger over hardboard back with a cream board mount.  The overall size is 33cm x 43cm.