Where Is A Scene from the Beggar's Opera? Museum Location

Q: Where is this painting displayed?

This version is at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Other versions exist at Tate and Yale. The highwayman Macheath stands in chains between two women who both claim him as husband, while their fathers look on.

Q: What is The Beggar's Opera?

John Gay's 1728 satirical opera set in London's criminal underworld was hugely popular. It mocked both Italian opera and British politics. William Hogarth painted this theatrical scene in 1728-29, depicting a moment from John Gay's wildly popular satirical opera.

Q: Why is this painting significant?

Hogarth was among the first English painters to depict contemporary theater, combining portraiture with theatrical narrative You can see it at National Gallery of Art.

This painting by William Hogarth theatrical scene in 1728-29, depicting a moment from John Gay's wildly popular satirical opera. The highwayman Macheath stands in chains between two women who both claim him as husband, while their fathers look on.

This is among the earliest English paintings of a stage performance. Hogarth included portraits of actual actors and audience members, including the Duke of Bolton gazing at actress Lavinia Fenton, with whom he was having an affair. Hogarth painted at least five versions of this scene. This one is at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

This version is at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Other versions exist at Tate and Yale. The highwayman Macheath stands in chains between two women who both claim him as husband, while their fathers look on.

John Gay's 1728 satirical opera set in London's criminal underworld was hugely popular. It mocked both Italian opera and British politics. William Hogarth painted this theatrical scene in 1728-29, depicting a moment from John Gay's wildly popular satirical opera.

Hogarth was among the first English painters to depict contemporary theater, combining portraiture with theatrical narrative You can see it at National Gallery of Art.

A Scene from the Beggar's Opera

Where to See It

The Artist

More by William Hogarth

The Ashley and Popple Family

Before the Seduction and After

Prospero and Miranda from "The Tempest" of William Shakespeare

The Children's Theater In The House Of John Conduit

Also at National Gallery of Art

Gian Federico Madruzzo Oil Canvas Giovanni Battista[1]

Dancer in pink dress

Holy Family

The Harbor at Lorient

About A Scene from the Beggar's Opera

Own Art Like This