Why did William Hogarth criticize English collectors who preferred foreign artists?

William Hogarth’s criticism of English collectors who favored foreign artists stemmed from his passionate belief in the vitality of native art and the social standing of the artist. He viewed the connoisseurs' exclusive admiration for Old Masters and their prejudice in favor of foreign works as a hindrance to the development of a strong, independent English artistic tradition.1

Hogarth’s stance was deeply personal, rooted in his desire to see English-born artists like his mentor, Sir James Thornhill—the first knighted English-born artist—receive the recognition and support he felt they deserved. By challenging the standards of a powerful clique of patrons and critics, Hogarth sought to dismantle the barriers that favored foreign imports over the work of his contemporaries. This defiance was a consistent theme throughout his career, beginning with his 1724 work Masquerades and Operas, where he openly attacked contemporary taste and the influence of powerful patrons who prioritized foreign styles over local creative forces.1