Hogarth, William. (1697-1764). A Chorus of Singers. The very rare third and final original state of this important print. Issued in 1737, with the plate measuring 6 15/16 X 6 1/2 inches, and the tops of the letters "Recd." visible at the bottom left. Paulson 127 (Hogarth's Graphic Works). On laid paper, overall 19 X 20.5 cm. and in very fine condition.
"A Chorus of Singers" was first created in 1732 as a subscription ticket to the larger "A Midnight Modern Conversation," though in the present third state, the receipt has been cut off so that only the top of the letters "Recd." are visible. The print shows a rehearsal of the oratorio Judith, written by Hogarth's friend, William Huggins (1696 - 1761) with music by William Defesch (c. 1680 - 1758) and first performed on February 16, 1732/3, at Lincoln's Inn Fields. "The conductor of the chorus, whose agitated motions seem to have shaken off his periwig, conducts from a paper titled 'Judith: an ORATORIO; or, SACRED DRAMA by . . . ' Beneath him is a group singing from a paper with lines of music, under which is written, '...world shall Bow to ye Assyrian Throne'; each of the groups has music with these words (or with 'the world...'); and if it were not for the date on the receipt, which proves that the print was issued before the oratorio appeared, one would conjecture that the words 'world shall Bow', etc., ironically underline the lack of success the oratorio enjoyed. As it is, Hogarth is pointing up the discrepancy between the sentiments of the words and the vehicle of their transmission. Even the head of the bass viol rising behind the singers has the expression of a singer." (Paulson)
"A Chorus of Singers" was first created in 1732 as a subscription ticket to the larger "A Midnight Modern Conversation," though in the present third state, the receipt has been cut off so that only the top of the letters "Recd." are visible. The print shows a rehearsal of the oratorio Judith, written by Hogarth's friend, William Huggins (1696 - 1761) with music by William Defesch (c. 1680 - 1758) and first performed on February 16, 1732/3, at Lincoln's Inn Fields. "The conductor of the chorus, whose agitated motions seem to have shaken off his periwig, conducts from a paper titled 'Judith: an ORATORIO; or, SACRED DRAMA by . . . ' Beneath him is a group singing from a paper with lines of music, under which is written, '...world shall Bow to ye Assyrian Throne'; each of the groups has music with these words (or with 'the world...'); and if it were not for the date on the receipt, which proves that the print was issued before the oratorio appeared, one would conjecture that the words 'world shall Bow', etc., ironically underline the lack of success the oratorio enjoyed. As it is, Hogarth is pointing up the discrepancy between the sentiments of the words and the vehicle of their transmission. Even the head of the bass viol rising behind the singers has the expression of a singer." (Paulson)
Hogarth, William. (1697-1764). A Chorus of Singers. The very rare third and final original state of this important print. Issued in 1737, with the plate measuring 6 15/16 X 6 1/2 inches, and the tops of the letters "Recd." visible at the bottom left. Paulson 127 (Hogarth's Graphic Works). On laid paper, overall 19 X 20.5 cm. and in very fine condition.
"A Chorus of Singers" was first created in 1732 as a subscription ticket to the larger "A Midnight Modern Conversation," though in the present third state, the receipt has been cut off so that only the top of the letters "Recd." are visible. The print shows a rehearsal of the oratorio Judith, written by Hogarth's friend, William Huggins (1696 - 1761) with music by William Defesch (c. 1680 - 1758) and first performed on February 16, 1732/3, at Lincoln's Inn Fields. "The conductor of the chorus, whose agitated motions seem to have shaken off his periwig, conducts from a paper titled 'Judith: an ORATORIO; or, SACRED DRAMA by . . . ' Beneath him is a group singing from a paper with lines of music, under which is written, '...world shall Bow to ye Assyrian Throne'; each of the groups has music with these words (or with 'the world...'); and if it were not for the date on the receipt, which proves that the print was issued before the oratorio appeared, one would conjecture that the words 'world shall Bow', etc., ironically underline the lack of success the oratorio enjoyed. As it is, Hogarth is pointing up the discrepancy between the sentiments of the words and the vehicle of their transmission. Even the head of the bass viol rising behind the singers has the expression of a singer." (Paulson)
"A Chorus of Singers" was first created in 1732 as a subscription ticket to the larger "A Midnight Modern Conversation," though in the present third state, the receipt has been cut off so that only the top of the letters "Recd." are visible. The print shows a rehearsal of the oratorio Judith, written by Hogarth's friend, William Huggins (1696 - 1761) with music by William Defesch (c. 1680 - 1758) and first performed on February 16, 1732/3, at Lincoln's Inn Fields. "The conductor of the chorus, whose agitated motions seem to have shaken off his periwig, conducts from a paper titled 'Judith: an ORATORIO; or, SACRED DRAMA by . . . ' Beneath him is a group singing from a paper with lines of music, under which is written, '...world shall Bow to ye Assyrian Throne'; each of the groups has music with these words (or with 'the world...'); and if it were not for the date on the receipt, which proves that the print was issued before the oratorio appeared, one would conjecture that the words 'world shall Bow', etc., ironically underline the lack of success the oratorio enjoyed. As it is, Hogarth is pointing up the discrepancy between the sentiments of the words and the vehicle of their transmission. Even the head of the bass viol rising behind the singers has the expression of a singer." (Paulson)