About this artwork

During the first half of the eighteenth century a rise in the consumption of Gin, known as the “Gin Craze”, swept over England, particularly London. Hogarth created Gin Lane and its companion Beer Street in support of what became the Gin Act of 1751; a UK Act of the Parliament passed to reduce the uncontrolled production and sale of cheap gin. In Gin Lane crime and deprivation, health and social problems abound. Only the distiller, pawnbroker and the undertaker thrive. This version of the print was engraved and published by Thomas Cook, after Hogarth’s original design. Thomas Cook is best known for his copper plate engravings after the Hogarth, on which he worked from 1795 - 1803, and published as a set in 1806 under the title Hogarth Restored.

Updated before 2020

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Thomas Cook

Thomas Cook