Born in London the young Hogarth was apprenticed to a goldsmith, producing his own engraved designs from about 1710. Later he took up oil painting, starting with small portrait groups. He went on to create a series of paintings satirising contemporary customs, but based on earlier Italian prints, 'The Harlot's Progress' (1731),  'The Rake's Progress' and 'Marriage à la Mode' being his most well-known. He sold engravings of the series on subscription. His engravings were widely plagiarised, so much so that he was a key player in lobbying for the Copyright Act of 1735 to protect writers and artists. 

(see Crowns, Mitres and Maces Print below). 

 

He painted and engraved a number of portraits of the infamous (Sarah Malcolm) as well as the famous.