William Hogarth (1697-1764)
Industry and Idleness IV: The Industrious ’Prentice a Favourite and entrusted by his Master (October 1747)
[First state] Etching and engraving on copper; printed on laid paper
Plates IV and V illustrate the consequences of Idle’s and Goodchild’s attitudes towards work. Because of his hard work Goodchild has been promoted to be his master’s bookkeeper. His new position is shown by the fact that he dresses like his master, wears a wig and is trusted to hold the keys. His master ‘leans’ on Goodchild and regards him affectionately as he gestures to the weavers they both supervise in the shop below them. On the counting-house desk two clasped gloves symbolise the unity of master and apprentice. In the shop below Hogarth depicted women engaged in the repetitive work on individual looms that appear like isolated cells.
Industry & Idleness 
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