On View
Not on viewObject number1989/90.15
The Gate of Calais
Artist
William Hogarth
(British, 1697-1764)
Date1749
Mediumengraving
Dimensionsimage: 13 3/4 × 17 1/4 in. (34.9 × 43.8 cm)
sheet: 18 3/8 × 25 5/8 in. (46.7 × 65.1 cm)
mat: 22 × 28 in. (55.9 × 71.1 cm)
sheet: 18 3/8 × 25 5/8 in. (46.7 × 65.1 cm)
mat: 22 × 28 in. (55.9 × 71.1 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mr. Joseph M. Kanamueller
Exhibition History"70 Years, 70 Works from the KIA Permanent Collection," KIA (Nov.19, 1994 - Feb.10, 1995).
"Curator's Choice: European Works on Paper," KIA Long Gallery (May 9 - Aug. 27, 2008).
Label TextThe satirical qualitities of Hogarth are at their best in this picture showing the French reaction to the arrival of a side of British beef at the port of Calais. Ragged and hungry French soldiers look on in amazement at the sight, one even spilling the thin gruel he has been given to eat. A fat priest past his ample stomach in satisfaction, obviously anticipating a good dinner that evening. Hogarth's anticlerical bias is clear, as is his implicit sense of superiority of the English over the French.
