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Hogarth Humours of Election Prints (4) [187182]

Currency:USD Category:Art / Medium - Woodcut Start Price:80.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 300.00 USD
Hogarth Humours of Election Prints (4) [187182]
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Hogarth's "Humours of Election" is certainly a timely piece in the present day. These four prints measure 6"x 7.5"with the full sheet measuring 9"x 11".
The Humours of an Election is a series of four oil paintings and later engravings by William Hogarth that illustrate the election of a member of parliament in Oxfordshire in 1754. The oil paintings were created in 1755. The first three paintings, An Election Entertainment, Canvassing for Votes and The Polling, demonstrate the corruption endemic in parliamentary elections in the 18th century, before the Great Reform Act. The last painting, Chairing the Member, shows the celebrations of the victorious Tory candidates and their supporters.
At this time each constituency elected two MPs, and there was a property qualification for voters, so only a minority of the male population was enfranchised. There was no secret ballot, so bribery and intimidation were rife. However, this traditional view has been questioned by recent historians who observed lively local political participation in this time. These were published in 1809 by Longman, Hurst, Rees & Orme.
The originals are held by Sir John Soane's Museum, London. The works were also reproduced as a series of prints.
These have a ragged edge that doesn't affect the print. There is age foxing. Please see photos for more details. [ London United Kingdom