Credulity, Superstition and Fanaticism
1800-1850 / Engraving / God & Faith / Paper / Print
Engraving on paper
By William Hogarth, Probably early 1800s; re-print of 1762 original
This satirical engraving ridicules secular and religious credulity, and illustrates the popular 18th century view of the exaggerated religious "enthusiasm" of the Methodist movement.
In the pulpit preaches a misguided clergyman who wears a harlequin gown under his clerical jacket and whose book is opened at a page which reads "I speak as a fool". There are various references to George Whitefield beneath the pulpit - is the preacher Whitefield? - and references to John Wesley beneath a giant emotional thermometer to the right. The congregation in turn is in throes of religious ecstasy, horror and disgust.
Only the turbaned Muslim looking in through the window and smoking his pipe appears sane.
By William Hogarth, Probably early 1800s; re-print of 1762 original
This satirical engraving ridicules secular and religious credulity, and illustrates the popular 18th century view of the exaggerated religious "enthusiasm" of the Methodist movement.
In the pulpit preaches a misguided clergyman who wears a harlequin gown under his clerical jacket and whose book is opened at a page which reads "I speak as a fool". There are various references to George Whitefield beneath the pulpit - is the preacher Whitefield? - and references to John Wesley beneath a giant emotional thermometer to the right. The congregation in turn is in throes of religious ecstasy, horror and disgust.
Only the turbaned Muslim looking in through the window and smoking his pipe appears sane.
