The Sleeping Congregation

William Hogarth

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing depicting a courtroom or lecture setting with various exaggerated characters. The image shows a figure in a high position looking through a magnifying glass at a book, wearing a large wig. Below them, another figure appears drowsy, holding spectacles. In the foreground, a woman holds a fan and a book titled "Hoyle," looking tired. The background shows a crowd, some sleeping and others wearing unusual hats. The architecture includes arched windows and columns. Above, on a ceiling, are cherub-like figures and an inscription. The drawing is filled with satirical and humorous details typical of 18th-century art.