John Gonson John Gonson Sir John Gonson (died 1765) was an English judge for nearly 50 years in the early 18th century, serving as a Justice of the Peace and Chairman of the Quarter Sessions for the City of Westminster. Gonson was a supporter of the Society for the Reformation of Manners, and was noted for his enthusiasm for raiding brothels and for passing harsh sentences. Gonson appears in contemporary court reports and newspaper articles, but is best known for having been depicted twice in "A Harlot's Progress", William Hogarth's series of paintings from 1731 and subsequent engravings from 1732. Gonson first
John Martin (painter) tremendous successes with their audiences, but wounded Martin's reputation in the serious art world. The painting "The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah", 1852 is currently at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle upon Tyne. In addition to being a painter, John Martin was a major mezzotint engraver and for significant periods of his life he earned more from his engravings than his paintings. In 1823, Martin was commissioned by Samuel Prowett to illustrate John Milton's "Paradise Lost", for which he was paid 2000 guineas. Before the first 24 engravings were completed he was paid a further 1500 guineas for a