The New Metamorphosis, Plate 7: The Cardinal, a Hermit and Donna Angela Holding Fantasio

Art Historical Context

In the bustling world of early 18th-century London printmaking, William Hogarth's *The New Metamorphosis, 7: The Cardinal, Hermit and Donna Angela Holding Fantasio* (1724) stands as a witty gem. This etching and engraving, in its second state of two, measures a intimate 5½ x 3 inches, perfect for collectors and satirists alike. Hogarth, a master of narrative prints, collaborated here with writer Charles Gildon, who adapted the ancient Roman tale *The Golden Ass* by Lucius Madaurensis Apuleius into a modern English farce mocking social hypocrisies. The scene buzzes with Hogarth's signature satirical flair: a pompous cardinal, a ragged hermit, and the elegant Donna Angela cradling the hapless Fantasio—likely the transformed protagonist from Apuleius's metamorphosis myth—amidst animals, trees, and human folly. Etching allowed Hogarth's precise lines to capture expressive faces and dynamic compositions, while engraving added depth and durability for widespread distribution. Tags like animals, men, women, and trees hint at a lively pastoral tableau laced with irony. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this print exemplifies Hogarth's early genius in blending classical literature with biting commentary on clergy, virtue, and vice. A delightful window into Georgian England's cultural wit! (198 words)

About the Artist

William Hogarth|Charles Gildon|Lucius Madaurensis Apuleius · 1697–1764

William Hogarth (1697-1764) was an English painter, printmaker, and pictorial satirist who became the first great English-born artist to attract admiration abroad. Born into poverty in London, the son of a failed schoolmaster who was imprisoned for debt, Hogarth's early experiences with the harsh realities of 18th-century urban life profoundly shaped his artistic vision. After apprenticing with si...