William Hogarth
, English, 1697-1764
Title
The First State of CrueltyDate1751
MediumLine and etching
Dimensions
Plate: 38.2 x 32.4 cm
Sheet: 40 x 35.7 cm
Credit LinePresented, Mrs E. Bishop, 1942
Object numberNGI.11511
DescriptionHogarth maintains that cruelty begins with children inflicting pain upon defenceless animals. At the centre of the print the anti-hero Tom Nero tortures a dog mercilessly. Behind, a boy burns out the eye of a bird while cats are tied up to fight and a puppy has abone tied to his tail.
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