The Sleeping Congregation, 1736
William Hogarthexpand_more
Etching and engravingexpand_more
The Miscellaneous Works of Art Purchase Fund, 1958expand_more P.12,612
Not on Viewexpand_more
Human weakness was an endless source of humor for Hogarth, and his pointed satires sought to draw lessons through full disclosure of people's failings. Here religion-a frequent target of caricature-takes a backseat to more basic needs; sleep and sex, not piety, captivate the faithful during Sunday services. A shortsighted old preacher clutches his magnifying glass as he delivers what is surely a long-winded and dull sermon. Meanwhile, the undignified congregants appear in different stages of slumber, and a portly clerk sneaks an amorous glance at the bosom of a young maiden who sleeps, her dream colored by her biblical reading "on matrimony."
Hogarth was a master storyteller, incisively capturing the characters and customs of his time in amusing narratives.
Details
- Title
- The Sleeping Congregation
- Artist Life
- 1697–1764
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.12,612
- Provenance
- [P. & D. Colnaghi, London, until 1958; sold, November 20, with "The Sleeping Congregation" (P.12,611), for £9, to Mia]
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Dob. 203 i/iv P.140 i/iv
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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