'A Rake's Progress' (1734-5) and 'An Election' (1755) are the most famous of William Hogarth's series of 39 modern moral subjects. The two series were purchased in the early nineteenth century by the architect Sir John Soane' who regarded them as amongst his greatest treasures.

In this book Christina Scull sets the paintings in the context of Hogarth's life and times and of his other moral series 'A Harlot's Progress' and 'Marriage A-la-mode' and gives a detailed account of their narrative and contents. The eight paintings of 'A Rake's Progress' and the four paintings of 'An Election' are all illustrated in colour together with many of the engravings - authorised as well as pirate editions - based on them.

Since this volume was first published in 1991, the celebrity status of the Soane Hogarths has continued to grow. In 1997 'A Rake's Progress' featured in a special exhibition at Sir John Soane's Museum together with the precursors and successors of Hogarth's great social satire. The crowds flocked to the Gallery and the catalogue sold out within weeks. In 2001 'General Election year in Britain' 'An Election' was given its own show which proved a soothing tonic for a nation weary of politicians and their antics.