The Heir

"The Heir" is the first scene from the cycle of paintings entitled "The Career of a Libertine" by William Hogarth. This scene depicts the hero, Tom Rakewell, who inherits a large fortune upon the death of his father. The character's name, "Rakewell", evokes both his libertine status and his penchant for the pleasures of life. In this scene, Tom can be seen surrounded by solicitors, lawyers and family members, all interested in his newly acquired fortune. The scene suggests that Tom's inheritance marks the beginning of his descent into a world of frivolity, vice, and bad decisions.