A Rake's Progress' is a visual tale by William Hogarth which deals with the downfall of a young man of fashion in 18th century London. The series of eight paintings, now in the Sir John Soane Museum, is perhaps best known from the engravings of the same subject.

The Hogarth engravings have delighted and engaged people since their publication in 1735. Stravinsky first saw them in 1947 and with the collaboration of Chester Kallman wrote 'The Rakes Progress', first produced in Venice in 1951. David Hockney saw the engravings as a student and during his time at the Royal College of Art produced his own etchings based on Hogarth’s Rake, but re-telling the story as his own first visit to America.

In 1975 John Cox asked the young Hockney to design the sets and costumes for a production of the Rake at Glyndebourne and it was to Hogarth, rather than his own work, that Hockney went to for his inspiration.

This exhibition (February 28 - March 18, 2006) which includes both David Hockney's etchings and Hogarth's original engravings will coincide with Opera Australia's production of the Stravinsky opera and Rex Irwin Art Dealer's Thirtieth Birthday Year. John Cox, the director of the opera, will speak at the Private View on Wednesday, March 1st.