An analysis of the Rake's progress from William Hogarth's engravings to Igor Stravinsky's opera within the context of modern arts

This study aims to examine the artistic and thematic relationships between William Hogarth's engraving series A Rake's Progress and Igor Stravinsky's opera of the same title from an interdisciplinary perspective, within the framework of the fundamental principles of modern arts. Although produced in different centuries and within different artistic disciplines, these two works present a common narrative plane in their focus on universal themes such as the moral transformation of the individual, social corruption, and the illusion of freedom. While Hogarth conveys his criticism of the social structure and class relations of eighteenth-century England through a visual narrative language, Stravinsky constructs the same themes musically within the aesthetic and intellectual codes of twentieth-century modernism, transforming the traditional musical approach by reinterpreting it from a formal perspective. In this context, the study allows for a joint consideration of the common problem areas and representational strategies of the two works. Within the scope of this thesis, the works of both artists are comparatively analyzed in terms of their formal structures, narrative languages, aesthetic approaches, and artistic perspectives. The works under consideration are evaluated within the context of modern arts according to fundamental principles such as the rejection of traditional forms, the deformation of classical aesthetic norms, the symbolic expression of internal conflicts, the establishment of a critical social stance through art, and the development of interdisciplinary artistic perspectives. The analysis is based on a methodological framework where visual analysis intersects with musicological interpretation, simultaneously employing thematic comparison, formal analogy, and historical contextualization. In this way, an approach that transcends the aesthetic domain of art and is framed by moral norms is rendered visible.This synthesis ultimately reveals how art continues to shape human perception, inspire cultural reflection, and sustain the dialogue between past and present. The findings of the study reveal the communicative power of art beyond temporal and disciplinary boundaries. The visual narrative language of Hogarth's engravings and the structure of Stravinsky's music demonstrate the possibility of establishing an inter artistic relationship within the context of Modern Arts. In this regard, the study not only displays the layered nature of modern arts productions but also emphasizes the transformative potential of art in critically questioning the relationship between the individual and society. Furthermore, the bridges established between different historical periods expand the capacity for intercultural dialogue and offer the audience a multi-layered reading experience. As a result, the proposed comparative framework aims to contribute to the literature and provide a productive basis for future interdisciplinary research. x