The Laughing Audience, 1733-7

William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)

RA Collection: Art

Inside of a theatre, showing the audience's response to an unseen play. At the bottom are musicians in the orchestra; commoners above enjoying the play; two couples in a box at the top.

This print was originally made by William Hogarth as the subscription ticket for his prints A Rake's Progress and Southwark Fair. In early states a receipt was below the image, although in this final state the plate has been cut down (although traces of the receipt are still visible). In this state the print was sold by Hogarth as one of 'Four Groups of Heads' (the others being Scholars at a Lecture, and Company of Undertakers).