HOGARTH -Harlot’s Arrival in London Seduction Street Scene Original 1812 Engraving

This is an original 1812 copperplate engraving by William Hogarth, published by Robert Scholey in London, from Plate I of A Harlot’s Progress. The print depicts the innocent country girl, Moll Hackabout, newly arrived in London, being approached by the notorious procuress Mother Needham. Set in the bustling chaos of Cheapside, this opening scene marks the beginning of Moll’s tragic descent into vice. A wealthy gentleman lurks in the shadows, ready to become her keeper, while signs of urban squalor—spilled barrels, laundry overhead, and curious onlookers—fill the composition with narrative energy and moral foreshadowing.

Engraved by T. Clerk after Hogarth’s design, this image is packed with fine line work and vivid expressions, capturing the comic and grim realities of 18th-century urban life. Hogarth’s talent for moral satire is evident in every detail, from the suggestive poses to the social commentary embedded in the street environment. Measuring approximately 5 x 9 inches with a blank reverse, this genuine early 19th-century impression is an important and evocative piece for collectors of Hogarth’s dramatic storytelling.