William Hogarth
(b London, 10 Nov 1697; d London, 25–26 Oct 1764).
English painter and engraver. He played a crucial part in establishing an
English school of painting, both through the quality of his painting and
through campaigns to improve the status of the artist in England. He
also demonstrated that artists could become independent of wealthy
patrons by publishing engravings after their own paintings. He is best
remembered for the satirical engravings that gave the name ‘Hogarthian’
to low-life scenes of the period.