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I, Hogarth
He was London's artist par excellence, and his work supplies the most enduring vision of the eighteenth century's ebullience, enjoyments, and social iniquities.
From a childhood spent in a debtor's prison to his death in the arms of his wife, I, Hogarth follows the artist's life as he makes a name for himself and as he fights for artists with his Copyright Act.
Through Hogarth's lifelong marriage to Jane Thornhill, his inability to have children, his time as one of England's best portrait painters, his old age and unfortunate dip into politics, and his untimely death, I, Hogarth is the remarkable story told through the artist's eyes. Michael Dean blends Hogarth's life and work into a rich and satisfying narrative, recommended for fans of Hilary Mantel and Peter Ackroyd.
From a childhood spent in a debtor's prison to his death in the arms of his wife, I, Hogarth follows the artist's life as he makes a name for himself and as he fights for artists with his Copyright Act.
Through Hogarth's lifelong marriage to Jane Thornhill, his inability to have children, his time as one of England's best portrait painters, his old age and unfortunate dip into politics, and his untimely death, I, Hogarth is the remarkable story told through the artist's eyes. Michael Dean blends Hogarth's life and work into a rich and satisfying narrative, recommended for fans of Hilary Mantel and Peter Ackroyd.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2012
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218 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 19, 2013
What a wonderful, bawdy, exciting "autobiography" of a painter whose work has indeed stood the test of time. The sad part is that he thought his work would be forgotten because of a late-life character assassination. Indeed, I felt very sad at the end to think of how he thought history would remember him. Good thing he was wrong because his work showed such insight into 18th century society.
Before the sad part, though, there's lots of fun and some good insights into the development of an artist. That reminded me a bit of "Blindspot," which I also really enjoyed. It's exciting for an non-artist to watch how an artist sees and internalizes his craft. He begins hesitantly trying some new techniques, and at the end, he is just using what he learned.
It's also a wonderful portrayal of a boy from the wrong side of the tracks making good. He'd never be the "right sort," but he could earn respect. Plus, it's an affectionate portrait of a fallible, kind, fun guy. Highly recommended.
Before the sad part, though, there's lots of fun and some good insights into the development of an artist. That reminded me a bit of "Blindspot," which I also really enjoyed. It's exciting for an non-artist to watch how an artist sees and internalizes his craft. He begins hesitantly trying some new techniques, and at the end, he is just using what he learned.
It's also a wonderful portrayal of a boy from the wrong side of the tracks making good. He'd never be the "right sort," but he could earn respect. Plus, it's an affectionate portrait of a fallible, kind, fun guy. Highly recommended.
October 24, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this fictionalization of the life of William Hogarth, the 18th-century English painter and engraver best known for his bawdy print series, "The Harlot's Progress" and "The Rake's Progress." Hogarth himself narrates and begins his story when he was injured during a violent storm as a boy. The Hogarth family lived in extreme poverty. His father had aspirations of becoming a writer never made it, and at one time, when he is jailed for debt, the family joins him in prison as they have nowhere else to live. Young William is apprenticed to an engraver, but his true love was always drawing. It was when he learned to combine the two skills that he became the toast of London society. And Dean gives us that society in a novel brimming with the details typical of a Hogarth print.
Dean not only takes us through key moments in Hogarth's life, but he fleshes him out as a living, breathing, feeling character. We see him as an admiring son, a friend to other artists, a young man in love, an older man with regrets. The depiction of his elopement with and marriage to Jane Thornhill is especially fine and believable. Dean portrays Hogarth as deeply in love with his wife, yet the marriage is troubled, perhaps, in Dean's view, because it failed to produce any children.
Overall, a fascinating portrait of the man and his times.
Dean not only takes us through key moments in Hogarth's life, but he fleshes him out as a living, breathing, feeling character. We see him as an admiring son, a friend to other artists, a young man in love, an older man with regrets. The depiction of his elopement with and marriage to Jane Thornhill is especially fine and believable. Dean portrays Hogarth as deeply in love with his wife, yet the marriage is troubled, perhaps, in Dean's view, because it failed to produce any children.
Overall, a fascinating portrait of the man and his times.
September 6, 2018
When all you visits to exhibitions and galleries got into the whole picture. Knowing his art, it was also interesting to discover real characters.
April 17, 2013
While not the equal of Barry Unsworth's Sacred Hunger and Quality of Mercy, nor Richard Flanagan's Gould's Book of Fish, this is a worthy addition to modern novels attempting to re-create the 18th century, and easily on par with Arabella Edge's The Company. On second thought, it's not so far removed from Quality of Mercy.
Going in, I was familiar with the name, William Hogarth, but I didn't know much about him, nor his art. However, while reading this "autobiographical" novel, I found myself investigating his work and enjoying it. Of historical significance to all visual artists were his efforts to effect copyright protection for illustrated works, as had been previously extended to written works.
This is far from a dry read and is actually quite ribald, and often humorously so. But there are also poignant results to what seemed inconsequential acts perpetrated when he was young and ascendant.
I also think anyone invested in creative endeavors, particularly painting but not necessarily limited to that medium would find it interesting to see the process and concomitant anxieties expressed so insightfully.
Highly recommended.
Going in, I was familiar with the name, William Hogarth, but I didn't know much about him, nor his art. However, while reading this "autobiographical" novel, I found myself investigating his work and enjoying it. Of historical significance to all visual artists were his efforts to effect copyright protection for illustrated works, as had been previously extended to written works.
This is far from a dry read and is actually quite ribald, and often humorously so. But there are also poignant results to what seemed inconsequential acts perpetrated when he was young and ascendant.
I also think anyone invested in creative endeavors, particularly painting but not necessarily limited to that medium would find it interesting to see the process and concomitant anxieties expressed so insightfully.
Highly recommended.
February 1, 2013
I have been interested in Hogarth since I saw prints from his Rake's Progress at a rare books library where I once worked. This fictional first person account of his life does a great job of recreating 18th century London and the pleasures of life available to one who goes from rags to riches on his own merits. Hogarth was an inventive artist with an interest in making money, but on his own terms. He broke with the classicist orientation of "good art" and excelled in portraying all of London's citizens with zeal and individuality, from the lowest of the low, to the King.
March 17, 2013
A good piece of historical fiction about artist William Hogarth, who became popular in London during the decades before the American Revolution. It is a story of brothels, bathes, bribery, bastards and debtors' prisons written by an English author who thinks that Hogarth should be recognized as a "national artist". Hogarth would popularize modern moral tales -- and fight to have copyright laws expanded to cover artists as well as writers during the reign of King George II.
It is a Dickensian tale, but about an era full century earlier.
It is a Dickensian tale, but about an era full century earlier.
June 7, 2021
Everyone's mileage for historical fiction varies. When it's a period and a figure you know quite a bit about, it's easier to become 'that reader' and whinge about anachronisms. So. I'm about to become 'that reader'. Those taken but finally unsatisfied with the seemingly biographical material here are better directed to Ronald Paulson's definitive volumes. Turning the famously pugnacious Hogarth's life into a brisk first-person self-justification makes a certain amount of sense; the fictional justification for this within the narrative is never quite clear. And our Billy is a a voluble, loud, LOUD character (indicated by the all-too-frequent resort to all caps to indicate spirit). On the strength of this, I'm not persuaded to take up other historical fiction by Dean, though he seems to have quite a line in this sort of work. To be clear, am not against historical fiction (even in this period), but the research needs to be worn a little more lightly and the artistic narrative (why are we reading this account, why is the 'author' writing it?) requires a little more work, otherwise one wonders why this wasn't rendered simply as a general reader biography.
July 15, 2017
An overly verbose beginning with too-detailed phrases coupled with disconnected extensions ... and an ending full of new starts which thus had to culminate in a too-abrupt, incomplete, rather cliche conclusion. I've more the notion of a 2.5, but I give it a 3 because I appreciate the time and effort it takes to develop any composition to novel length of quasi-decent quality. Pretty dissatisfied with the time invested in this overall, however.
January 9, 2020
Loved this. Reminded me again why he is my favourite artist. Raucous, ribald and lots of fun.
June 24, 2018
An enjoyable enough romp through 18th century London, especially for fans of Hogarth.
February 5, 2014
I wanted to read Thorn by Michael Dean but since my library system doesn’t have it, I read I, Hogarth instead. This well-written, colorful autobiographical novel about the 18th century English painter and satirist provides a window on the striving and competition among artists and aristocrats in that time.
Hogarth came from a poverty stricken but well-educated family. According to Dean, from an early age, young Hogarth had to negotiate on behalf of his scholarly but hapless father. After his father ended up in debtors' prison, Hogarth, bored by toiling as an apprentice engraver, catapulted himself onto the art scene as someone who was an innovator in his creative profession.
Hogarth eschewed the static, classical modes of portraiture popular at the time, using his artistic medium instead to tell contemporary stories about the wild and dissolute life surrounding him in London. At times his work flattered and at other times it lambasted highborn people. He also portrayed lowborn people such as convicted murderers, catering to popular curiosity about these notorious individuals.
The problem with this book is with the main character. Born into poverty and striving to become rich and famous, he comes across as massively self-centered, fiercely competitive, and even narcissistic. He spends much of his time carousing and whoring. Often his foremost thought about others is what can he get from them. He does nothing to hide his contempt for all but a couple of his contemporary artists and Peers. Although he is married to a pearl of a woman, he continues his nocturnal escapades and after he catches venereal disease, his marital life takes a nosedive.
There are a few redeeming things to be said about Hogarth: 1) remembering his early poverty, he devoted himself to the cause of establishing residential schools for children born out of wedlock; 2) he was loyal to a couple of people that he admired; 3) if we are to believe him, many of the artists and aristocrats he mingled with were even more dissolute and reprehensible; 4) the qualities he had are recognizable human frailties. Still, this does not make for an inspiring book!
Hogarth came from a poverty stricken but well-educated family. According to Dean, from an early age, young Hogarth had to negotiate on behalf of his scholarly but hapless father. After his father ended up in debtors' prison, Hogarth, bored by toiling as an apprentice engraver, catapulted himself onto the art scene as someone who was an innovator in his creative profession.
Hogarth eschewed the static, classical modes of portraiture popular at the time, using his artistic medium instead to tell contemporary stories about the wild and dissolute life surrounding him in London. At times his work flattered and at other times it lambasted highborn people. He also portrayed lowborn people such as convicted murderers, catering to popular curiosity about these notorious individuals.
The problem with this book is with the main character. Born into poverty and striving to become rich and famous, he comes across as massively self-centered, fiercely competitive, and even narcissistic. He spends much of his time carousing and whoring. Often his foremost thought about others is what can he get from them. He does nothing to hide his contempt for all but a couple of his contemporary artists and Peers. Although he is married to a pearl of a woman, he continues his nocturnal escapades and after he catches venereal disease, his marital life takes a nosedive.
There are a few redeeming things to be said about Hogarth: 1) remembering his early poverty, he devoted himself to the cause of establishing residential schools for children born out of wedlock; 2) he was loyal to a couple of people that he admired; 3) if we are to believe him, many of the artists and aristocrats he mingled with were even more dissolute and reprehensible; 4) the qualities he had are recognizable human frailties. Still, this does not make for an inspiring book!
April 17, 2013
As an art historian I am always drawn (pun fully intended) to books about artists. Hogarth is something of an unusual subject as he is not someone who is super popular (unlike the art rock stars like Monet and VanGogh). He was a British artist who worked in the 18th century. The world he inhabits is a rollicking good one. He starts with his childhood and his relationship with his father who was a scholar and transcriber of books, who was always in debt. Hogarth's father is put into debtors prison and his mother relies on one Moses da Costa, a Jewish moneylender for help. Hogarth is apprenticed to an engraver where he first really begins to learn to draw. He is never quite as good as his fellow apprenentices, but in some way knows that he will go on to other things. Like most young men of that time Hogarth frequents the brothels where he makes the acquaintance of one John Rakesby, who is really Sir John Thornhill, son of Sir James Thornhill one of Hogarth's artist heroes. Hogarth works his way into the Thornhills, both artistically- he becomes an assistant to Sir James and a far more closer connection. Hogarth falls in love with Jane Thornhill and after a long and complicated courtship they marry. Their marriage is happy in the beginning, but a disastrous encounter with a prostitute infects Hogarth with syphilis. Hogarth's artist output is not neglected, but its creation is woven into the story like threads with a complex tapestry. A smart fun romp through an England where the poor and the rich freely mingle in the streets, the taverns, and the theatres. Hogarth has his flaws, but remains likable and always engaging as his makes his way through life.
July 11, 2015
'I, Hogarth' is a very readable book which tells the story of William Hogarth, the famous Georgian painter and engraver. It vividly describes 18th century London and gives a background to many of the scenes that Hogarth represented in his work. Described as a ‘raucous novel of a raucous age’, in places I found it a little too coarse for my taste. It was easier to read than a traditional biography and gave me a real taste of what Hogarth was like. But at the end I had to ask, was it the right flavour?
The author’s note explains that 'I, Hogarth' “is a work of fiction, so some real events have been bent to the demands of the narrative: others omitted altogether, others invented.” And therein lies my problem. I do not know which parts of what I have read were true, and which were not.
Though this was, for the most part, an entertaining read, I find the genre of a fictional account of a historical person’s life confusing and dissatisfying. As a historian, I want to know fact. I don’t mind that fact being acted out for me with scenes that could have been true, but to change the truth, without any indication of what has been altered in the author’s note, leaves me with too many unanswered questions.
See the full review on my Regency History blog.
The author’s note explains that 'I, Hogarth' “is a work of fiction, so some real events have been bent to the demands of the narrative: others omitted altogether, others invented.” And therein lies my problem. I do not know which parts of what I have read were true, and which were not.
Though this was, for the most part, an entertaining read, I find the genre of a fictional account of a historical person’s life confusing and dissatisfying. As a historian, I want to know fact. I don’t mind that fact being acted out for me with scenes that could have been true, but to change the truth, without any indication of what has been altered in the author’s note, leaves me with too many unanswered questions.
See the full review on my Regency History blog.
July 16, 2013
A caveat to this review: Before reading this book, I knew next to nothing about William Hogarth. I’m reviewing this strictly as a novel and not in regards to historical accuracy.
Written as an autobiography of William Hogarth, I, Hogarth is unrelenting. Hogarth is a larger-than-life character (despite his short stature) and the book centers on that personality and its ability to tell the story. It also begs the question of how truthful Hogarth is as a narrator.
My biggest quibble is that the format – which works so well for most of the book – falls apart a bit at the end. Not because Mr. Dean misses a beat – he doesn’t – but because the format is dependent on Hogarth’s mental facilities and, by the end of the book, his mental facilities are questionable. If anything, it’s to Mr. Dean’s credit that he crafts such a believable narrative. As a reader, though, I was frustrated by the increasing unreliability of the narrator.
I’ve read a few biographies and autobiographies that were published around the same time as Hogarth’s fictional one is set, and I couldn’t get over how authentic this one felt. At the same time, Mr. Dean updated it enough to be more accessible to a modern audience. Recommended.
Written as an autobiography of William Hogarth, I, Hogarth is unrelenting. Hogarth is a larger-than-life character (despite his short stature) and the book centers on that personality and its ability to tell the story. It also begs the question of how truthful Hogarth is as a narrator.
My biggest quibble is that the format – which works so well for most of the book – falls apart a bit at the end. Not because Mr. Dean misses a beat – he doesn’t – but because the format is dependent on Hogarth’s mental facilities and, by the end of the book, his mental facilities are questionable. If anything, it’s to Mr. Dean’s credit that he crafts such a believable narrative. As a reader, though, I was frustrated by the increasing unreliability of the narrator.
I’ve read a few biographies and autobiographies that were published around the same time as Hogarth’s fictional one is set, and I couldn’t get over how authentic this one felt. At the same time, Mr. Dean updated it enough to be more accessible to a modern audience. Recommended.
June 21, 2016
I have always been intrigued by Hogarth; his style, his subject matter, his seeming obscurity despite his status as a world-class artist.
This book was definitely a bawdy, raucous narrative which never pretended to be anything less than true to its era (1697-1764.) Yes, there were some lurid descriptions that I tended to skim over, but they were relatively few & far between. Also, such scenes were, at least, very pertinent to the plot and subject of Hogarth's actual life events. They were mercifully short and non-repetitive. While I would be careful in recommending this book, (wise, mature audiences only!) yet it provides a vivid look at the social, political, economic, legal and artistic aspects of the 18th century.
Two things stand out to me about William Hogarth as a person after reading this novelized version of his life: his abiding love for his father and his wife.
I still like Hogarth and I agree with the author that England has let him down badly by not providing a fitting memorial of him.
This book was definitely a bawdy, raucous narrative which never pretended to be anything less than true to its era (1697-1764.) Yes, there were some lurid descriptions that I tended to skim over, but they were relatively few & far between. Also, such scenes were, at least, very pertinent to the plot and subject of Hogarth's actual life events. They were mercifully short and non-repetitive. While I would be careful in recommending this book, (wise, mature audiences only!) yet it provides a vivid look at the social, political, economic, legal and artistic aspects of the 18th century.
Two things stand out to me about William Hogarth as a person after reading this novelized version of his life: his abiding love for his father and his wife.
I still like Hogarth and I agree with the author that England has let him down badly by not providing a fitting memorial of him.
November 12, 2013
This is the second historical/biographical novel I've read by Michael Dean. The first, which concerned the odd friendship between Spinoza and Rembrandt, was quite lively and animated and kept my interest throughout. But I felt that the author (sort of like Steven Spielberg, forgive me) did not know quite how to conclude a work. Much the same this wonderful romp through Hogarth's London. I did love the descriptions, the characters and petty rivalries, the artful rise and fall of our central character. But the enthusiasm of the first 80% of the book seemed to falter in the last 20%. This is no way faults the work as a whole. If you like your history vivid, uncensored, ribald, flavorful, gritty and realistic, then "I, Hogarth" will not disappoint. When a book makes me research the real story, as this one did, I know it has done its work well. I am looking forward to the next title from this master of fiction.
December 17, 2013
This is a rumbustious rollicking tale, supposedly the memoirs of one of the greatest of our artists. The details are lurid, the language soars, the pages turn themselves. You will be enthralled by a story in which our first Prime Minister, the composer of the "Water Music" and Sir Francis Dashwood and the Hellfire Club all have walk-on roles of one kind or another. This is "The Rake's Progress" brought to life in the alleys of "Gin Lane". Michael Dean has obviously steeped himself in the period, and has produced a book that reflects Georgian London. This book gave me a greater appreciation of the paintings and engravings of William Hogarth, and I hope that it will lead hundreds of readers towards the discovery of a great artist.
October 7, 2015
I'm generally disappointed in fictional treatments of my favorite artists' lives but I never give up and I'm glad I didn't. If you're familiar with Hogarth's engravings (if you're not you should look 'em up) you'll know what I mean when I say this book reads just like that: earthy. Since the story arc is his life dies so it's not a feel-good ending, but it's written in the first person, showing you what goes on in his head from his miserable childhood through his rise and, not fall exactly, but certainly plateau. Maybe I liked the book so much because I liked what the author understands of the Artist's Life. In any case he knows his stuff, gives a good sense of time and place and I learned a lot.
February 18, 2013
When I read the NY Times book review, I somehow managed to miss that this was a work of fiction, not a biography. I enjoyed it in any case but the novel, unlike non-fiction, presumes the reader knows quite a bit about the 18th century world of artists and politicians in which Hogarth painted. Because of my lack of knowledge, I was never quite sure who were real historical characters and who were not. A list of characters appears in the front of the book but without identification as to real person or the author's creativity. An interesting look at a very bawdy period for Hogarth and his friends although little about the politics or larger world in which Hogarth resided.
July 24, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, but I admit I am a historical fiction junkie and I am currently archiving a collection of Hogarth's artwork for my university, so I may have enjoyed this more than the average reader would. It is basically a fictional biography of Hogarth's life and career based on real events.
Overall, it was a light entertaining read that has piqued my interest in Georgian England. From an academic perspective, I wish there had been more emphasis on his artworks and the social conditions that motivated their creation. This is covered briefly for a few of his major works, but I would have liked more.
Overall, it was a light entertaining read that has piqued my interest in Georgian England. From an academic perspective, I wish there had been more emphasis on his artworks and the social conditions that motivated their creation. This is covered briefly for a few of his major works, but I would have liked more.
September 1, 2025
This book is lots of fun, and I certainly recommend it for fans of art history, but I wished Mr. Dean had provided more substance to what is just a pleasant, readable story. William Hogarth owes his legacy to his social commentary and satire. His works were filled with intriguing details. Mr. Dean owed Mr. Hogarth the same painstaking, loving attention. Readers seeking a penetrating study of art and culture in eighteenth-century England will be somewhat disappointed, but those in search of an historical romp for the beach or airplane will be delighted.
April 6, 2016
A very enjoyable read whether you know much about Hogarth or not. Some reviewers refer to it as a 'bawdy romp'. It certainly is that in the early sections of the novel but it's also a lot more. A skilful imagining of 18th century London - a book you can smell. But the author also portrays Hogarth's decline into old age and sickness and the problems in his relationship with his wife with real feeling. He also carries off something very difficult - describing the processes of painting and creativity without making it boring.
December 26, 2014
A blend of fiction and non-fiction, told in the first-person as an "autobiography". "I, Hogarth" gives us the life of a great talent from his humble beginnings through lauded eminence to final, self inflicted, humiliation. It is a vivid portrait of Georgian London's artistic mores and full of the local color of mid-18th century London.
April 26, 2013
I'm really drawn to the Restoration and early 18th century England. Very interesting fictionalized, first-person account of England's greatest painter. He rose from an impoverished family - father was a Latin scholar who wound up in debtor's prison - to great wealth and fame. Hogarth's self-importance, coupled with his complete insecurity and need for approval come out glaringly.
June 7, 2013
I really enjoyed this quick read about Hogarth the painter. It gives a good picture of the time period. Hogarth rose from a very poor English boy with a lot of drive. Like many of his fellow artists and others at that time, fell to bawdiness and brothels. As a results, syphilis was rampant. Some important changes came about due to his influence at that time. An interesting read.
November 24, 2013
I saw this book on display in my local library and it looked interesting. If I had read the reviews here first, I don't think I would have read it. Many of the reviews describe it as "bawdy." While it is that at times, it is much more. It is fast-paced and funny, and also very poignant. It has left me with a desire to learn more of Hogarth's work.
October 20, 2014
I am a fan of William Hogarth's art. I also like historical fiction. This book, however, is choppy. Sometimes I had a hard time following the events. I also found myself not having very much empathy for the main character William Hogarth. His debauchery and that of his compatriots was just too much for me.
February 24, 2013
A bawdy retelling of life in the barrooms, whore houses and amidst the poor in early 1700's London. Young William, with a great talent for drawing works his way up the social ladder both with talent and schmoozing to be a leading painter of his times. A fun romp!
March 23, 2015
As a student of history (particularly of the 18th century), I found it very difficult to approach this novel solely as a work of fiction. I managed to get to page 137 before I was put off by some very jarring dialogue.
April 18, 2016
The review in yesterday's Feb. 7 WSJ praised this. Should be good to read in London.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews