William Hogarth, The Laughing Audience, 1733-7.
187 mm x 174 mm. © Photo: Royal Academy of Arts, London. Photographer: Prudence Cuming Associates Limited.
This image is not available to download. To licence this image for commercial purposes, contact our Picture Library at picturelibrary@royalacademy.org.uk
The Laughing Audience, 1733-7
William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)
RA Collection: Art
Inside of a theatre, showing the audience's response to an unseen play. At the bottom are musicians in the orchestra; commoners above enjoying the play; two couples in a box at the top.
This print was originally made by William Hogarth as the subscription ticket for his prints A Rake's Progress and Southwark Fair. In early states a receipt was below the image, although in this final state the plate has been cut down (although traces of the receipt are still visible). In this state the print was sold by Hogarth as one of 'Four Groups of Heads' (the others being Scholars at a Lecture, and Company of Undertakers).
Object details
187 mm x 174 mm
Hogarth's prints. Vol. I. - [s.l.]: [n.d.]
Associated works of art
2 results
Start exploring the RA Collection
- Explore art works, paint-smeared palettes, scribbled letters and more...
- Artists and architects have run the RA for 250 years.
Our Collection is a record of them.
Related articles
-
![William Hogarth, Gin Lane]()
Our Collection
> 4 years ago
In 60 seconds: Hogarth’s ‘Gin Lane’ & ‘Beer Street’
Learn how a pair of engravings by satirical artist William Hogarth were used to alter the drinking habits of the British public in the 18th century.
-
![RA cast display installation]()
Our Collection
7 months ago
Video: Historic casts are re-installed at the RA Schools
After years in storage, watch as our cast collection is re-installed around the RA Schools.
-
![Richard Cosway RA, Richard and Maria Cosway, and Ottobah Cugoano (detail)]()
Our Collection
1 year ago
Untold Stories
Recent research reveals how the Royal Academy’s founding artists worked amidst Britain’s imperial expansion in the 18th century, the transatlantic slave trade, and a growing abolitionist movement.
-
![Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA,, Self-portrait of Sir Joshua Reynolds, PRA]()
Our Collection
< 2 years ago
Creative inspiration today from the first President of the Royal Academy
The RA’s founding President Joshua Reynolds may have shaken up the art world when he delivered his ‘Discourses’ lectures, but are they still relevant now? We take a closer look at what artists and art-lovers can learn from the series today.
