In London, painter William Hogarth (Jones) meets young whore Mary Collins (Tapper) in a Covent Garden brothel, and the social critic and satirist decides to use her as his muse. In 1731, Hogarth begins a series of six paintings (those of the title) that will bring him fame and fortune, featuring Mary's miserable fate from innocent country girl to city prostitute to early death. (The paintings were later destroyed in a fire but Hogarth's engravings remain.)