The Rake's Progress (ballet) The Rake's Progress (ballet) The Rake's Progress is a short 1935 ballet based on the drawings of William Hogarth, with music by Gavin Gordon (1901-1970), choreography by Ninette de Valois, and set design by Rex Whistler. Gavin Gordon had written some earlier ballets that were not successful. By contrast, "The Rake's Progress" was an instant hit and has remained in the repertoires of a number of ballet companies. It is the only work of Gavin Gordon's that is remembered today. Gordon based his scenario for the ballet on Hogarth's series of paintings called "A Rake's Progress". These paintings influenced him
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