The dissection of the body of Tom Nero. Etching by W. Hogarth, 1751.

  • Hogarth, William, 1697-1764.
Date:
1 February 1751
Reference:
907i
Part of:
The four stages of cruelty
  • Pictures

Selected images from this work

View 2 images

About this work

Description

An anatomy theatre similar to the Cutlerian theatre of the Royal College of Physicians in Warwick Lane, London, with skeletons in niches possibly derived from the anatomy theatre of the former (dissolved 1745) Barber-Surgeons' Company in Monkwell Street, London. Tom Nero is disembowelled and his eyes are cut out, watched by an assembly of surgeons and/or physicians wearing mortar boards. His intestines are collected into a bucket, a dog gnaws at his discarded heart

Publication/Creation

[London] : Published according to Act of Parliament [by W. Hogarth?], 1 February 1751.

Physical description

1 print : etching ; platemark 39 x 31.7 cm.

Related material

Select images of this work were taken by the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum: WT/D/1/20/1/89/70

Lettering

The reward of cruelty. Designed by W. Hogarth. Behold the villain's dire disgrace ... his monument of shame. Verses beneath the image. Above two human skeletons in niches are inscribed the names: "James Field" and " Macleane"

Edition

Paulson state 4 of 4.

References note

R. Paulson, Hogarth's graphic works, 3 ed., London 1989, no. 190
William Brockbank and Jessie Dobson, 'Hogarth's anatomical theatre', Journal of the history of medicine. 1959, 14: 351-353
British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, vol. 3, London 1877, no. 3166

Reference

Wellcome Collection 907i

Type/Technique

Languages

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    UnavailableCan't be requested

    Note

Permanent link