Strolling Actresses Dressing in a Barn [SEP] inception
Strolling Actresses Dressing in a Barn
Strolling Actresses Dressing in a Barn is a painting from 1738 by British artist William Hogarth. It was reproduced as an engraving and issued with "Four Times of the Day" as a five print set in the same year. The painting depicts a company of actresses preparing for their final performance before the troupe is disbanded as a result of the Licensing Act 1737. Brought in as a result of John Gay's "Beggar's Opera" of 1728, which had linked Robert Walpole with the
guinea (£ in 2020), half payable on ordering and half on delivery. After subscription the price rose to five shillings per print (£ in 2020), making the five print set four shillings dearer overall. Although "Strolling Actresses Dressing in a Barn" was not directly connected to the other prints, it seems that Hogarth always envisaged selling the five prints together, adding the "Strolling Actresses" as a complementary theme just as he had added "Southwark Fair" to the subscription for "The Rake's Progress