Hogarth's London

Political cartoonist Martin Rowson (The Guardian, The Independent) will explore the life, death and afterlife of William Hogarth - the grandfather of cartooning.

Hogarth began his life in poverty, but through his sharp visual satire that portrayed the wonderfully dark and filthy streets of 18th century London he came to fame as London’s first and defining visual biographer. London, with all its sin, misery and power, came alive in his widely distributed prints. He was the first truly urban artist, depicting the city’s many inhabitants – the rich, the poor, the fashionable and the ludicrous. However, with the fame came wealth, power and influence and towards the end of his life he too became the subject of satire.