A Rake's Progress I: The Heir, 1734 (Detail). By William Hogarth (1697-1764). The series of eight paintings show the decline and fall of Tom Rakewell, the spendthrift son and heir of a rich merchant, who comes to London, wastes all his money on luxurious living, prostitution and gambling, and as a consequence is imprisoned in the Fleet Prison and ultimately Bethlem Hospital (Bedlam).

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Size: 4441px × 5489px
Photo credit: © The History Emporium / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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