The Study Of William Hogarth’s A Harlot’s Progress

British art was lacking in vitality wan prior to the 18th century, portraits monopolized the art market,artistic work almost became a tool for singing the praises of upper class, visual arts were unable to communicate with the public.Art works performs an important function in moral education, if it still at the praise,or decorative level,it will lose its realistic significance.At the turn of the century,with the rapid change and development of British society,there has been an amazing evolution in thinking and value orientation.This seems straightforward that during the end of 17th century to the beginning of 18th century,British society launched a top-down movement,named the Movement for the Reformation of Manners.Luxury decorative style of Rococo has been unable to meet the needs in construction of socialist spiritual civilization.In the meanwhile,the native national spirit is also increasing.In the period of transition,the new English middle class is developing with extremely high speed,having made significant achievements in various fields.Middle-class intellectuals were influenced by the moral ideas of Puritan,they had a cordial abhorrence of social evils,which setting obstacles to social development.They hoped prompting the level of human culture and morality.Cultural and ideological spheres was extremely active of the day,realistic literature was booming,the British art need a local painters to breakthrough the cloud of gloom.William Hogarth’s series of moral paintings,touching upon every area of life,from erosion’s life of upper class to the lives of the poor.Prostitute and pet,mistress and lover,master and slave,such combinations often appeared in the paintings.It seems common enough,but contains much moral thoughts.Brushes became a powerful tool for chastisement and edification,Politely but firmly convey his purpose of creation.As the first local painter who have an impact on British art market.For all the time,creative ideas and compositions of Hogarth are attracting more and more scholars’ attention.Western scholars have already made significant achievements in case studies.Their research have formed an important academic trend.By contrast,the domestic correlated research based on macroeconomic views,which lack of exploring the value of art itself.For that reason, this paper will take A Harlot’s Progress as an example,strives to trace the literary prototype of heroine,show the intimate relationship between literature and art in the first half of the 18th century,and how they serve to the social morality construction.As an iconography study,the paper proceed from six pieces of woricPaying particular attention to the elements which metaphor for moral ideas,the source of schema and the religious paintings which hanging on the wall.Attempt to find its underlying meaning of these details^ Harlot Progresses series become objects of study, not just it made a hit for Hogarth,in fact, it’s artistic value and practical merits attention.