William Hogarth, English, 1697-1764
Title: The Election, Plate 2: 'Canvassing for Votes'
Date: 1755-1758
Medium: Etching and engraving on paper
Dimensions:
Plate: 43.3 x 55.7 cm
Credit Line: Purchased, 2013
Object Number: NGI.2013.2.2
DescriptionThis is Hogarth's last moral print series, based on a set of paintings now in the Sir John Soane Museum, London. The ‘Election’ series was inspired by the riotous election of 1754 in which a Whig candidate, the Duke of Marlborough, challenged the Tories in their established stronghold in Oxfordshire. The prints were not intended as reportage but aimed to present a generalized picture of a violent, chaotic election. They were aimed at the well-to-do classes, to expose the cynicism of the aristocracy towards electoral politics. The prints show politicians using slogans, flattery, bribery and food and drink to exploit the electorate in order to further their own political ambitions. The politicians chivvy the most vulnerable sections of society - the poor, victims of alcoholism and those who are mentally or physically disabled, to vote for them and in doing so incite violence and anarchy.
Inscriptionupper centre:CANVASSING FOR VOTES. Plate II /
Painted by W. Hogarth, Engraved By G. Grignion / Published 20th Feb.ry 1757. As the Act directs / To his Excellency S.r Charles Hanbury Williams Embassador to the Court of RUSSIA. This Plate is most humbly Inscrib’d By his most Obedient humble Servant / Will.m Hogarth

This website uses cookies

We use optional cookies to enhance your user experience and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services.

Details

About Cookies

Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. This site uses different types of cookies. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. You can at any time change or withdraw your consent from the Cookie Declaration on our website. Learn more about who we are, how you can contact us and how we process personal data in our Privacy Policy. Please state your consent ID and date when you contact us regarding your consent.

Necessary Cookies

Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

NameProviderPurposeExpiryType
JSESSIONIDeMuseumUser SessionSessionHTTP

Statistics Cookies

Statistic cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

NameProviderPurposeExpiryType
_gaGoogle Tag ManagerRegisters a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.2 yearsJavaScript
_gidGoogle Tag ManagerRegisters a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.1 dayJavaScript