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Time smoking a Picture

Artist William Hogarth (London, England, 1697 - 1764)

PublisherPublished by William Heath

Date1822

Mediumengraving on paper

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsPlate Size: 24.5 x 18.6cm
Paper Size: 33.6 x 24.4cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1939 by Miss Lizzie Hogarth.

CopyrightOut of copyright

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG000208.7

Keywords

Memorabilia

About MeTime Smoking a Picture by William Hogarth deals with art connoisseurs and their misled enthusiasm for old master paintings of any quality or lack thereof, because of the popular notion that 'time' both improved and mellowed art. William Hogarth's portrayal of time and his activities is less than flattering. He sits upon a statue he has utterly destroyed. The detached head, without a nose, wears a tortured expression. A severed hand points directly to time's ever darkening varnish. 'Time' meanwhile is viewing a painting which he blackens and obscures with the voluminous smoke from his pipe. He has also carelessly ripped a great hole in the canvas with his scythe.

The quotation in Greek written on the upper part of the frame reads, "Time is not a great artist but weakens all he touches."

This original engraving was both designed and engraved by William Hogarth, and published by William Heath in 1822.

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