[Praise of Beer] William HOGARTH (1697-1764), Beer Street in London, (titled: "Beer Street") 1751

copperplate,paper, 41.5 x 34.5 cm, signed l.d.: "designed by W. Hogarth" and "Publish'd according to Act of Parliament Feb.1. 1751"

The author is a world-famous artist showing the everyday life of people. His works were so massively forged that, as the inscription on this graphic testifies, they were registered by parliament. In this work, the artist gives praise to drinking beer. Even people repairing the roof drink beer, as well as couples in love or book sellers. Very interesting is the sale of beer through a tiny window in the wall, where only a hand with a mug slides out like a vending machine, after inserting a coin. This is probably one of the first mass selling points in the world in the 18th century. In Poland this didn't happen until the 20th century-we preferred more direct contact with the customer. This graphic is widespread in many of the world's articles about beer. The owners don't want to part with it either, as it has only appeared once in trade in the last 25 years - Cartiglio Gallery of Turin for 1100 Eu. Numerous reproductions are offered for it, among others, for 123 Eu. This print is owned by the British Museum, the Victoria&Albert Museum, the Metropolitan Museum in N.Y.