The First Stage of Cruelty

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The First Stage of Cruelty, a print by William Hogarth, 1751. The artwork depicts a chaotic street scene where a group of children and young adults are engaged in various acts of cruelty against animals. A cat is being thrown over a wall, a dog is being tormented, and a cock is being held by a boy. The scene is filled with onlookers, some seemingly amused, others indifferent. The architecture suggests a London street scene. The print is highly detailed, showing the expressions on the faces of the participants and the texture of the buildings and clothing. The overall tone is dark and disturbing, highlighting the cruelty inflicted upon the animals. The print includes three verses of text, one under each section of the image, which further emphasizes the theme of cruelty and its consequences. The size of the print is not specified in the provided metadata.