Moral Paintings In Art History: The Orgy By William Hogarth, And Claudio And Isabella By William Holman Hunt
Throughout the history of mankind there have been many fables with morals at the end to teach a lesson. In the case of art there are paintings known as moral paintings that serve the same purpose. During the period of the Rococo an artist by the name of William Hogarth was infamous for moral paintings. One such painting The Orgy, which was part of a series of eight paintings called A Rakes Progress gained notoriety. Another moral painting Claudio and Isabella, was painted by William Holman Hunt to depict a scene the Shakespearean play Measure for Measure. Each of these is a perfect example of moral painting in art history not only because of their morals, but their intent as well.
William Hogarth was born on November 10th 1697 in London, England. His father, Richard Hogarth, was a minor classical scholar and schoolmaster. In 1707 Richard ended up in the notorious Fleet Prison in London due to being in debt for a failed coffeehouse. He was there until 1712, and died in 1718. To help his family earn some income William took an apprenticeship with Ellis Gamble as a plate engraver in 1713. He also attended Sir James Thornhill’s art academy in Convent Garden. In 1733 William Hogarth painted a fictional series of eight moral paintings called A Rakes Progress. It follows the story Tom Rakewell. Tom inherits a fortune from his miserly father, but then follows a path of immoral behavior and self-destruction.
The third painting in the series The Orgy, takes places in a famous Convent Garden brothel called Rose Tavern. The painting depicts Tom in a drunk, sitting on a chair with his leg on the table, and prostitutes around him. The prostitutes have black dots on their faces, which hide sores from syphilis. An individual in background is burning a map, this is foreshadowing the idea Tom’s world is going to burn. In the painting a prostitute who has his arms around him is robbing him, and handing his watch to another prostitute. The intent of this painting is to allow the audience to think about squandering their wealth, health, and values in such establishments. Ironically the story of a Rakes Progress ends with Tom in Fleet Prison due to being in debt, just like William’s father did. The character dies in the Bethlem Asylum, a London insane asylum. Another example of a moral painting is Claudio and Isabella. It was painted in 1850 by William Holman Hunt to depict a scene from a Shakespearean play called Measure for Measure. In the play Claudio is arrested by Lord Angelo, the temporary leader of Vienna. Angelo is a moral ruler who decides to rid the city of what he deems to be unlawful activities to include unlawful sexual activity and brothels. During this change in rules Claudio has sex with the Duke’s lover Juliet. The Duke sentences him to death. Claudio’s sister Isabella is a very religious, and moral character who is about to enter a nunnery. When Isabella hears that Claudio is to be put to death, she begs the Duke to spare her brother’s life. The Duke agrees to do spare him, but only if she has intercourse with him and take her virginity.
The painting of Claudio and Isabella represents this tumultuous struggle of morality. In the painting Claudio is shackled to a wall, and his sister is in full nun robes. Claudio is angry with his sister looks away from her in disgust. Isabella has her hands on his heart trying to comfort him. She looks very concerned and worried. She is clearly troubled, as she does not want to lose her virginity to the Duke. Claudio looks as if he cannot believe that she is unwilling to do what the Duke asks of her to spare him. He is depicted as very selfish, and self-absorbed. This painting represents that Claudio is willing to save his life through the sacrifice of Isabella’s virginity, and all she holds dear. Thankfully, at the end of the play the rightful Duke comes back, and assumes power once more. Claudio is pardoned, and Isabella marries the true Duke. Moral paintings tell us stories.
In The Orgy we learn that people have better moral character, and shouldn’t waste money on immoral things. In Claudio and Isabella we learn that we shouldn’t ask anyone to do something they are uncomfortable with, and not to be selfish and self-absorbed. Moral paintings are important to art history, and will continue to teach us lessons for generations to come.
