William Hogarth, Marriage-à-la-Mode, plate 4

Marriage-à-la-Mode, plate 4

William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)

RA Collection: Art

Engraving reproducing (in reverse) the fourth of William Hogarth's set of six paintings Marriage A-la-Mode (1743-4, The National Gallery, London). The set, one of Hogarth's 'modern moral subjects', narrates an ill-fated marriage between the son of an impoverished aristocrat, the Earl of Squander, and the daughter of a wealthy City alderman. Hogarth's print Characters and Caricaturas (17/3433) was issued as the subscription ticket to purchasers of the set.

This fourth plate, 'The Toilette', contrasts with the unfaithful viscount's visit to the doctor in the previous plate (17/3493) by showing the wife (now a countess) in her boudoir amongst the trappings of high society. She sits on the left talking to the lawyer Silvertongue (also seen in the first plate), who lounges on the sofa with indecorous familiarity. A hairdresser curls the countess's hair, a singer and flautist provide music, and two black pages serve tea and unpack recent purchases.

Object details

Title
Marriage-à-la-Mode, plate 4
After
William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)
Engraved by
Published by
William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)
Object type
Print
Dimensions

351 mm x 445 mm

Collection
Royal Academy of Arts
Object number
17/3850
This image is from a book

Hogarth's prints. Vol. I. - [s.l.]: [n.d.]

Click here to view the book

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