Art and Truth: William Hogarth and the English Enlightenment at Yale University Art Gallery

The ideas and artistic impact of William Hogarth are explored during this annual lecture examining his role in shaping an English school of art during the Enlightenment. Presented by Frédéric Ogée, a leading scholar of Hogarth and Emeritus Professor of British Literature and Art History at Université Paris Cité and École du Louvre, the talk considers how Hogarth’s paintings and engravings translated complex Enlightenment debates into accessible visual narratives. The discussion highlights Hogarth’s emphasis on observation, experience, and truth over idealized beauty, and how his work helped blur distinctions between high and low art while bringing art into public discourse.

The lecture takes place on February 12, 2026, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven.