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# William Hogarth's 1742 painting "The Graham Children" is famous for its sad symbolism
- URL: https://theparnassian.com/en/kartina-deti-grema-uiliama-khogarta-1742-goda-znamenita-svoim-pechalnym-simvolizmom/
- Published: 2023-10-24T06:01:17.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T05:35:31.000Z
- Author: Alexandr Radayev
- Tags: Art, London, Museums

William Hogarth's 1742 painting "The Graham Children" is famous for its sad symbolism. The youngest child, little Thomas, died before work on the picture was finished. There is a version according to which the artist conceived the canvas as a memorial to the dead child. His pram is adorned with a wooden bird that will never take flight. A living bird is locked in a cage, its life threatened by a predatory cat. At the infant's feet lie crossed carnations, and above his head is placed a clock with an angel of death

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_10137@24-10-2023_09-01-17.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_10138@24-10-2023_09-01-17.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_10139@24-10-2023_09-01-17.jpg)