The Epworth Collection

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Clergyman in a pulpit dangling angelic and demonic figures to his congregation

Print depicting a congregation in a church. Print depicting a congregation in a church. Presiding from a great height a clergyman frightens his congregation with a pair of puppets representing the devil and a witch. The text beside him has opened to a page reading, "I speak as a fool." Below, another minister thrusts an icon down the dress of an attractive girl seemingly in the throes of religious ecstasy. Hogarth continues the poignant comparison between religious and sexual excitement to the right of this couple by inventing a religious thermometer containing various emotional states such as, agony, lust, madness and suicide. At the thermometer's base rests a diseased brain. In the foreground a woman gives birth to rabbits. This was an actual person (a Mrs. Tofts) who made her living by performing such tricks. Above her the church clerk, surrounded by cherubs, embodies the words written on his lectern, "Continually do cry." Behind, the faces of the congregation are convulsed with horror and torment. Over them hangs a threatening chandelier which is titled, "A New and Correct Globe of Hell". Standing apart from this scene is a bemused, pipe smoking man peering in from the window.

Category: print

Production Date: 1762-

Material Part: picture

Produced by: Hogarth, William

Inscription:

printed - underneath image

Credulity, Superstition and Fanaticism, a Medley. - Believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God, because many false Prophets are gone out into the World - 1 John Ch.4.v.1

Measurements:

picture
height 464 mm
picture
width 356 mm

Object Number: 2009-382

Collection

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