The Rake's Progress

"The Rake’s Progress" is a series of paintings and an opera that explore the downfall of Tom Rakewell, a young man who inherits a fortune but wastes it on gambling, alcohol, and womanizing. His reckless choices lead to moral corruption and personal ruin. The story highlights themes of temptation, consequences, and the fleeting nature of wealth and pleasure. Ultimately, Tom’s life ends tragically in madness and death, serving as a cautionary tale about the destructive effects of vice and the importance of moral integrity.