The Invasion, Plate 1: France

The Invasion, Plate 1: France

‘The Invasion, Plate 1: France’ is one of two prints in which Hogarth refuted the fear of a French invasion of English during the Seven Years’ War. The print depicted an unprepared French army, accompanied by a monk who tests the sharpness of his ax. Beside him are tools of torture he plans to use to coerce the British people into Catholicism. This print marks the first appearance of the Jack Tar in art. Verses beneath the print, written by David Garrick read, “See John the Soldier, Jack the Tar, With Sword & Pistol arm’d for War.”

William Hogarth

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Unknown

Published 8 March 1758 in London

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Gift of Sarah Lazarus, 1891

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Etching and engraving on paper; third state of three

Image: 33.5 x 41.4 cm

Still Image