[The search night] [graphic]Ireland, Samuel, -1800, printmaker[ca. 1794?]engNight scene, a couple interrupted in flagrante by the night watch, she lying on the ground at right with dishevelled clothing, he held back on the left, with his breeches undone; a censorious old woman on the far left; a watchman on the right holding up a lantern, illuminating the pillory behindTitle and date from PaulsonQuestionable attribution to Hogarth, but Paulson is inclined to accept as an early work by Hogarth. See Paulson, R. Hogarth's graphic works (3rd ed.), no. 245.According to Samuel Ireland in his Graphic illustrations of Hogarth (v.1 , p. 9-10) Hogarth executed this design when he was under twenty on the lid of a tobacco box for a Captain Johnson.A copy by Ireland. Plate from: Ireland, S. Graphic illustrations of Hogarth, v. 1, p. 8.Trimmed sheet.