William Hogarth was a renowned English-born painter and engraver. The first English artist to earn recognition abroad, his paintings and engravings were expressive and satirical. A prolific portrait artist, Hogarth mainly focused on facial expressions. Starting as a copper engraver, he eventually became a painter. A financial crisis led him to master the art of engraving. Hogarth tried to achieve the status of history painter for a long time, but had no great success in this field. His interest in social and moral reformation grew with his fame, which was followed by his works with propagandist tone, which depicted the urbanization of London and the influence of crime, prostitution, gambling, and alcoholism. He is best remembered for his series Marriage A-la-Mode, A Rake's Progress, and A Harlot's Progress.