Descrizione gin lane william hogarth biography

Chances are that even if you’ve not heard of ‘Gin Lane’, you’ll be familiar with the maniacal grinning harlot in its centre, tossing her feeding baby to one side, distracted by her box of snuff. She’s the literal poster girl for alcoholic psychosis, the matriarch of mother’s ruin and an icon of the of the era.

So who is this tragic woman and what is the story behind 18th century satirist and painter William Hogarth’s 1751 print? 

Before I discuss the picture itself, I need to give you a very quick summary of the events that led to its creation...

The Gin Craze

At the end of the 17th century, the government allowed the unlicensed production of distilled spirits.

descrizione gin lane william hogarth biography1

It was an act of protectionism as it was coupled with an increase in duty on imported spirits from Europe. It also provided a use for the barley that had been deemed not good enough for beer. In short, it made production of the recently popularised drin Beer Street and Gin Lane by William Hogarth | Peachridge Glass WYQ