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Photographic Print : Gin Lane, 1751. Artist: William Hogarth
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Gin Lane, 1751. Artist: William Hogarth
Gin Lane, 1751.The scene is the St Giles slums. A child falls to its death from the arms of its drunk mother who sits with ulcerated legs. A skeletal figure holds an empty glass. Goods are being pawned in order to buy gin, a baby is being fed with gin, a corpse is put into a coffin in the background.The pawnbroker, distiller and undertaker are the only well-off and successful people in the neighbourhood. Third of four states of plate. This print was published in support of a campaign directed against gin drinking among Londons poor. Consumption of cheap spirits by the poor had soared in the early eighteenth century, with dire social consequences. Gin inspires violence and careless inebriation. Addiction to spirits leads to negligence, poverty and death
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Media ID 15166944
© London Metropolitan Archives (City of London) / Heritage-Images
Abuse Addiction Alcohol Bleak Danger Dangerous Despair Desperation Drunk Drunkenness Fallen Falling Hogarth Issue Oblivion Oblivious Pawnbroker Slum Undertaker W Hogarth William Hogarth City Of Westminster Distiller Down And Out Metaphor
10"x8" (25x20cm) Photo Print
Introducing the Media Storehouse collection of historic photographic prints, featuring the iconic masterpiece "Gin Lane, 1751" by William Hogarth from Heritage Images. This powerful image captures the grim reality of life in the St Giles slums during the 18th century. Witness the poignant moment as a child falls from the arms of a drunken mother, her ulcerated legs a testament to her own suffering. The skeletal figure beside her holds an empty gin bottle, a haunting symbol of the destructive hold this vice had on the community. This timeless piece of art serves as a poignant reminder of the past, and a reminder of the enduring power of art to evoke emotion and provoke thought. Add this captivating print to your collection and bring a piece of history into your home or office.
Printed on archival quality paper for unrivalled stable artwork permanence and brilliant colour reproduction with accurate colour rendition and smooth tones. Printed on professional 234gsm Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II paper. 10x8 for landscape images, 8x10 for portrait images.
Our Photo Prints are in a large range of sizes and are printed on Archival Quality Paper for excellent colour reproduction and longevity. They are ideal for framing (our Framed Prints use these) at a reasonable cost. Alternatives include cheaper Poster Prints and higher quality Fine Art Paper, the choice of which is largely dependant on your budget.
Estimated Product Size is 20.3cm x 25.4cm (8" x 10")
These are individually made so all sizes are approximate
Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with portrait (vertical) orientation to match the source image.
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Gin Lane, 1751: A Grim Depiction of Desperation and Addiction in 18th Century London". This haunting print by William Hogarth, titled "Gin Lane, 1751" offers a stark glimpse into the dire social consequences of gin consumption among London's poor. Set in the impoverished St Giles slums, the scene is filled with despair and hopelessness. In the foreground, a tragic child plummets to its death from the arms of its intoxicated mother, whose ulcerated legs reveal her deteriorating health. Nearby stands a skeletal figure clutching an empty glass—a chilling representation of addiction's grip on this community. The image further reveals the depths to which these individuals have fallen. Goods are pawned to fuel their insatiable thirst for gin; even babies are fed with this dangerous spirit. In the background, a corpse is being placed into a coffin—an ominous reminder that such destructive habits lead only to ruin. Amidst this bleakness, three figures stand out as symbols of success: the pawnbroker who profits from others' misery, the distiller who fuels their addiction, and the undertaker who capitalizes on their deaths. Hogarth created this print as part of a campaign against gin drinking among London's poor—a powerful metaphorical critique aimed at raising awareness about negligence, poverty, and death caused by alcohol abuse. It serves as both a warning against demon drink and an indictment of society's failure to address these issues effectively. Today it remains an enduring testament to how addiction can ravage lives if left unchecked—an important historical artifact that compels us to reflect on our own societal challenges surrounding substance abuse.
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