The Lady’s Last Stake by William Hogarth, Oil Painting

The last post of William Hogarth's lady shows the moment when the woman has to make a fateful decision to be ruined financially or morally. The painting depicts a playing man and a woman playing piquet at a table near an open fire in an elegant room. The woman has just lost her jewels and her money to the man, an army officer. He offers to play another card game, and when she wins, he returns her fortune in his hat. but if she loses, she has to accept him as her lover.

The woman holds the edge of the fire screen while thinking about her options. On the floor lies a discarded letter from her husband, who sends her money. it is addressed to Charlotte and signed Townly. The painting is full of symbolism that alludes to the fateful decision of the woman.