Casting his contract into the sea, Tom Idle in a rowing boat heads towards a sailing ship past a point of land with four windmills and a prominent gibbet. Engraving by Thomas Cook after William Hogarth, 1795.

  • Hogarth, William, 1697-1764.
Date:
1 December 1795
Reference:
38371i
Part of:
Industry and idleness
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Description

The idle apprentice's mother weeps into a handkercheif. Also in the boat is an oarsman and two other men; one points to the gibbet while the other dangles a rope suggestive of a cat-o-nine-tails whip. The point of land is an infamous spot called Cuckold's Point - Idle gestures to his companions' cuckolds horns

Publication/Creation

[London] (Islington) : T. Cook ; [London] (Paternoster Row) : G.G. & J. Robinson, 1 December 1795.

Physical description

1 print : engraving, with etching ; image 20.4 x 28.4 cm.

Series

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Lettering

The idle 'prentice turned away, and sent to sea. plate 5. designed by Wm Hogarth. engraved by T. Cook. Proverbs chap: X. ve: 1. A foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. The contract in the water is inscribed "This indenture" and the chest is inscribed "Tho. Idle his chest"

References note

R. Paulson, Hogarth's graphic works, London 1989, 3rd edition, related to 172
British Museum Catalogue of political and personal satires, London 1877, vol. 3, no. 2935

Reference

Wellcome Collection 38371i

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