The New Metamorphosis: Frontispiece, Vol.1

Art Historical Context

This frontispiece from 1724 introduces *The New Metamorphosis*, an English adaptation of Apuleius’s ancient Roman novel *The Golden Ass*. Created as an etching and engraving in the second of two, the print measures just over five inches tall, making it ideally suited for a book illustration. The imagery of animals, satyrs, and human figures evokes the story’s themes of transformation and mythological adventure, inviting readers into a world where humans and beasts exchange forms. William Hogarth, then an emerging artist, contributed the engraving alongside writer Charles Gildon’s text. Early in his career, Hogarth often worked on literary frontispieces, using the combined techniques of etching and engraving to achieve both fluid lines and precise detail. This approach allowed the small plate to convey lively, crowded scenes that reward close looking. As part of the Metropolitan Museum’s collection of prints, the work reflects the eighteenth-century enthusiasm for classical tales reimagined for modern audiences. Its modest scale and intricate technique highlight how book illustrations once served as gateways to imaginative literature, blending ancient myth with contemporary wit.

About the Artist

Charles Gildon|William Hogarth|Lucius Madaurensis Apuleius (British|British|Algerian) · 1697 |1660 |0120 –1764 |1724 |0224

British, London 1697–1764 London|British, ca. 1665–1724|M'Daourouch, Algeria ca. 124–after 170