"Marriage A La Mode": Four Engravings from the originals by W. Hogarth

Description: Ebay Listing TemplateENGRAVING: "Marriage A La Mode". Four engravings from the series of six from the originals by W Hogarth.TITLE"Marriage A La Mode".SUMMARYARTISTArmstrong, C Mottram, J. Mansell & T.E. Nicholson from the originals by W. Hogarth.PROVENANCEFORMATDESCRIPTIONCollection of four prints (number 3-6 in the series) titled "Marriage A La Mode". Engraved from the originals of W. Hogarth. In Marriage A-la-Mode Hogarth challenges the traditional view that the nobility and satirises arranged marriages. In each piece, he shows the young couple and their family and acquaintances at their worst: engaging in affairs, drinking, gambling, and numerous other vices. This is regarded by some as his finest project, and the best example of his serially-planned story cycles. 1) The Marriage Settlement ( The marriage contract) he shows an arranged marriage between the son of bankrupt Earl Squanderfield and the daughter of a wealthy but miserly city merchant. Construction on the Earl's new mansion, visible through the window, has stopped, and a usurer negotiates payment for further construction at the center table. The gouty Earl proudly points to a picture of his family tree, originating with William the Conqueror. 2) The Tête à Tête (Shortly after the marriage) there are signs that the marriage has already begun to break down. The husband and wife appear uninterested in one another, amidst evidence of their separate dalliances the previous night. A small dog finds a lady's cap in the husband's coat pocket, indicating his adultery. A broken sword at his feet shows that he has been in a fight. The posture of the wife also indicates unfaithfulness. 3) The Inspection (The visit to the quack doctor), shows the viscount (the earl's son) visiting a quack with a young prostitute. According to one interpretation, the viscount, unhappy with the mercury pills meant to cure his syphilis, demands a refund while the young prostitute next to him dabs an open sore on her mouth, an early sign of syphilis. 4) The Toilette, the old earl has died, so the son is now the new earl and his wife is the countess. The countess sits with her back to her guests, oblivious to them, as a servant attends to her toilette (grooming). The lawyer Silvertongue from the first painting is reclining next to the countess, suggesting the existence of an affair. 5) The Bagnio (The Death of the Earl), the new earl has caught his wife in a bagnio with her lover, the lawyer, and is fatally wounded. As she begs forgiveness from her stricken husband, the murderer lawyer in his nightshirt makes a hasty exit through the window. 6) The Lady's Death (Death of the countess), the countess poisons herself in her grief and poverty-stricken widowhood, after her lover is hanged at Tyburn for murdering her husband. IMAGE SIZE14cm by 12cmPRINT SIZE31.5cm by 24cmMOUNT SIZECONDITIONVery Good.CONDITION_DESC-->AUTHENTICITYThis is an authentic historic print, published at the date stated above. It is not a modern copy. The term 'original' when applied to a print means that it was printed at the date of publication stated; it does not imply that the item is unique.POSTAGE Please note that the all prints will be placed between two card boards or rolled into a postal tube for shipping.This is the footerThanks you for visitingPlease read terms and conditions -->

Price: 16 GBP

Location: Chippenham, UK

End Time: 2025-01-17T09:31:17.000Z

Shipping Cost: 20.14 GBP