The reward of cruelty, from the series The four stages of cruelty

Hogarth designed this set of prints with a reforming purpose in mind. In his 'Autobiographical notes' he describes his intention: "'The four stages of cruelty' were done in hopes of preventing in some degree that cruel treatment of poor Animals which makes the streets of London more disagreeable to the human mind, than anything what ever, the very describing of which gives pain." The series relates the career of Tom Nero, a child of the slums, who begins by torturing dogs, progresses to beating horses in the street then, as a grown up, murders his pregnant lover, Ann Gill. Finally, Nero is dissected in an anatomy theatre as an executed criminal, a noose still around his neck.

'The reward of cruelty' takes place in the Cutlerian theatre of the Royal College of Physicians. Nero is dissected as an executed criminal. The chief surgeon sits in the centre in an elevated chair bearing the arms of the Royal College of Physicians, with the Royal arms above. On either side in the niches are skeletons labelled ‘GENTN: HARRY’ and ‘MACLEANE’ after two recently hanged criminals.