William Hogarth: Analysis of Marriage A-la-Mode and Social Works

Chapter 4: The Morning Levee

The stage is divided into two groups of figures. The central figure is the young wife, now a duchess, as evidenced by the ducal crown appearing throughout the scene, indicating the pompous man from the beginning has inherited the title. She is a mother, suggested by a small toy on a chair. She pays attention to Silvertongue, who shows her tickets to a carnival dance, effectively announcing the adultery that the young servant points out to the viewer.

On the other side of the composition, an opera singer performs while a lady faints and a man sleeps. A man dressed in blue represents a 'fop'—a typical character in Restoration drama obsessed with French fashion. The presence of black servants highlights the colonial background of the era, where enslaved people were relegated to the lowest positions in English society.

Chapter 5: The Death of the Young Duke

Silvertongue escapes through the window after the young wife commits adultery. A fight ensues, and the Duke is stabbed in the chest by Silvertongue. As he nears death, his wife kneels in haste, carrying a lantern. The scene is illuminated by a fireplace, visible only through its reflection on the floor.

Chapter 6: The Death of the Young Duchess

The Duchess has committed suicide; a bottle and a letter lie on the floor. Her daughter, who suffers from a leg deformity requiring a metal brace, is lifted by servants to give her mother a final kiss. The scene takes place in a merchant's home, reflecting a life of hardship and poverty, contrasting with the rich land visible through the window. This serves as a critique of the historical situation, suggesting that marriages based solely on money are destined to fail.

Hogarth's Social Commentary

William Hogarth became a highly influential painter. Two notable black-and-white works include:

• Gin Lane: Depicts the devastating effects of gin, a cheap and poisonous spirit popularized during the reign of William of Orange. It features a drunken mother suffering from syphilis, oblivious to her falling baby. The background shows crumbling buildings, suicide, and violence.
• Beer Street: Presented as a healthy, peaceful alternative to the chaos of Gin Lane, featuring well-repaired houses and prosperous fruit mongers.

Other Notable Works

• Captain Coram: A significant portrait by the artist.
• The Servants: A study of six servants, each highly individualized.
• The Graham Children: A work noted for its photographic quality, capturing an instant as if frozen by a camera.