The dissection of the body of Tom Nero. Engraving by William Hogarth, 1751.

  • William Hogarth
Date:
1 February 1751
Reference:
38382i
  • Pictures

About this work

Description

An anatomy theatre similar to the Cutlerian theatre of the Royal College of Physicians in Warwick Lane, London, with skeletons in niches possibly derived from the anatomy theatre of the former (dissolved 1745) Barber-Surgeons' Company in Monkwell Street, London. Tom Nero is disembowelled and his eyes are cut out, watched by an assembly of surgeons and/or physicians wearing mortar boards. His intestines are collected into a bucket, a dog gnaws at his discarded heart

Publication/Creation

[London] : W. Hogarth, 1 February 1751.

Physical description

1 print : engraving, with etching ; image 38.8 x 29.6 cm.

Series

Contributors

Lettering

The reward of cruelty. design'd by W. Hogarth. published according to act of Parliament Feb. 1. 1751. price 1s. Verses beneath the image. Above two human skeletons in niches are inscribed the names: "Gentn: Harry" and " Macleane"

Edition

Paulson state 2 of 4.

References note

R. Paulson, Hogarth's graphic works, London 1989, 3rd edition, no. 190
William Brockbank and Jessie Dobson, 'Hogarth's anatomical theatre', Journal of the history of medicine. 1959, 14: 351-353
G. Wolf-Heidegger and Maria Cetto, Die anatomische Sektion in bildlicher Darstellung, Basel and New York 1967, nos 331-334
British Museum Catalogue of political and personal satires, London 1877, vol. 3, no. 3166

Reference

Wellcome Collection 38382i

Type/Technique

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Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
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