Hogarth devised a novel, English style and became the first home artist to be admired overseas.
After a tough childhood, he learnt etching and engraving, depicting graphic social scenes and portraits, focusing on London, his home city.
Unlike others, he established himself as an independent artist, free from printsellers constraints and became rich through his endeavours.
Ever the innovator, he is largely responsible for the Engravers' Copyright Act of 1735.
Hogarth has regained his popularity of late with many of his pictures on display in London galleries and a number of books dedicated to his life and work.
My talk also includes original prints by Hogarth for participants to study following my session
I have lived with my wife in Harpenden, Hertfordshire for the past 40+ years.
Following a career spent mainly as a commercial training consultant, I looked for other subjects in retirement to occupy my time outside the house.
I decided to research and develop a range of History and Art short talks and they are all very well received.
Now, I have decided to focus on just three subjects; William Hogarth; one of, if not, the finest English artist of any age; Len my ex-racing greyhound, to raise funds for Whittingham Kennels, the charity who first gave him a home post-retirement; and Beguiling Bygones, a fun quiz for smaller groups of 16 to 32, examining and attempting to identify commonplace objects from the past.
I do not use PowerPoint but bring and display large images that have proved to be very popular with numbers from 15 to 150, who like the change of style involved
In addition, I provide a handout for each participant to take away, capturing the key points from each session.