Cacophony Collection

Playing in Parts, etched by James Gillray (1757-1815) published by Hannah Humphrey in
NCO191733 Playing in Parts, etched by James Gillray (1757-1815) published by Hannah Humphrey in 1801 (hand-coloured etching) by North

Ancient Music, published by S. W. Fores in 1787 (hand-coloured etching)
NCO190404 Ancient Music, published by S.W. Fores in 1787 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); 42.7x55.1 cm; Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College

The Concert (oil on canvas)
CH344429 The Concert (oil on canvas) by Jakobides, Georg (1853-1932); Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Greek, out of copyright

The Enraged Musician, illustration from Hogarth Restored
STC451162 The Enraged Musician, illustration from Hogarth Restored: The Whole Works of the celebrated William Hogarth, re-engraved by Thomas Cook, pub

In the Evening, Lying on her Bed, She Reread the Letter from her Artilleryman at
3613983 In the Evening, Lying on her Bed, She Reread the Letter from her Artilleryman at the Front, 1917 (letterpress) by Marinetti

"There was an Old Man with a gong, who bumped at it all the day long", from A Book of Nonsense
LLM386618 " There was an Old Man with a gong, who bumped at it all the day long", from A Book of Nonsense, published by Frederick Warne and Co

The Chorus or Rehearsal of the Oratorio of Judith, illustration from
STC451236 The Chorus or Rehearsal of the Oratorio of Judith, illustration from Hogarth Restored: The Whole Works of the celebrated William Hogarth, re-engraved by Thomas Cook, pub

The Enraged Musician, 17th century (oil on canvas)
AMO98764 The Enraged Musician, 17th century (oil on canvas) by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); 28x48 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, UK; eAshmolean Museum; English, out of copyright

The Steam Concert, caricature of modern music from Un Autre Monde
CHT171888 The Steam Concert, caricature of modern music from Un Autre Monde, 1844 (coloured engraving) by Grandville (Jean Ignace Isidore Gerard) (1803-47); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Playing in Parts, pub. 1801 (hand coloured engraving)
3051744 Playing in Parts, pub. 1801 (hand coloured engraving) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

William Hogarths The Enraged Musician
Vintage engraving of The Enraged Musician by William Hogarth. It depicts a comic scene of a violinist driven to distraction by the cacophony outside his window

If musicks charms can hearts enthral, 1730. Artist: William Hogarth
If musicks charms can hearts enthral, this consorts sure above em all. How sweet the sound where cats and bears, with brutish noise offend our ears, just so the foreign singers move

The Enraged Musician (engraving)
XJF397633 The Enraged Musician (engraving) by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Rehearsal of the Oratorio of Judith, 1734 (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF323029 Rehearsal of the Oratorio of Judith, 1734 (engraving) (b/w photo) by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); Private Collection; (add.info)

First Design for The Enraged Musician, 1799 (engraving)
XJF393891 First Design for The Enraged Musician, 1799 (engraving) by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

The Enraged Musician, 1741 (engraving)
XYC252288 The Enraged Musician, 1741 (engraving) by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); 35.9x40.6 cm; Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, USA; Transfer from the School of Music; English

Cacophonie

Street music: St Cecilias Day street scene, 1837
A street scene showing the cacophony of noises to be heard on St Cecilas feast day, the patron saint of music, which falls in November

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"Cacophony: A Melody of Chaos and Discord" Step into the world of cacophony, where music takes on a whole new meaning. From the playful illustrations etched by James Gillray in "Playing in Parts" to the vibrant hand-colored etching of "Ancient Music" published by S. W. Fores, we are transported to an era where dissonance reigns supreme. In William Hogarth's famous painting, "The Concert, " we witness a scene filled with musicians playing their instruments haphazardly, creating a symphony of chaos. This sentiment is further echoed in his illustration titled "The Enraged Musician, " depicting a frustrated artist surrounded by noise and commotion. But it's not just visual art that captures this concept; even literature embraces cacophony. In Frederick Warne and Co. 's publication of "A Book of Nonsense, " we encounter humorous verses like "There was an Old Man with a gong, who bumped at it all the day long. " These words dance alongside colorful lithographs, adding another layer to this chaotic symphony. From ancient times to modern caricatures, artists have explored the theme through various mediums. Whether it be through 17th-century oil paintings or satirical engravings like those found in Un Autre Monde's portrayal of "The Steam Concert, " they all convey the same message – music can sometimes be as discordant as it is harmonious. One cannot forget William Hogarth's masterpiece, "The Enraged Musician. " With its intricate details and vivid colors, this painting encapsulates frustration and confusion amidst musical performance. Similarly, his work titled "If musicks charms can hearts enthral" reminds us that even enchanting melodies can entangle our emotions in turmoil. As we delve deeper into these artistic expressions inspired by cacophony, one thing becomes clear – there is beauty in chaos.