Marriage à la Mode

Marriage à la Mode is a pivotal series of works created by William Hogarth, executed first as a group of oil paintings and later disseminated as highly influential engravings beginning in 1745. This particular work, held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, is one such engraving, a medium Hogarth strategically favored for maximizing the reach of his moral narratives and satire across the United Kingdom.

Hogarth utilized the detailed precision of the engraving technique to deliver a powerful critique of the societal decay and hypocrisy surrounding arranged marriages and aristocratic privilege in 18th-century London. The series documents the disastrous union between the daughter of a wealthy merchant and the heir of an impoverished noble family, charting their descent into infidelity, violence, and debt. This approach established Hogarth as the foremost proponent of the "modern moral subject," a type of narrative art focused on contemporary life rather than classical or biblical history.

As a cornerstone of British visual culture from the period, the series offers a scathing social commentary, depicting the consequences of vanity and the corrupting nature of high society. Hogarth deliberately marketed these affordable prints directly to the burgeoning middle class, making them crucial vehicles for his satirical vision. The piece details a specific, highly dramatic moment in the couple's tragic timeline, illustrating their immediate post-nuptial misery and irresponsibility. This composition demonstrates Hogarth’s skill not only as a painter but also as a meticulous printmaker capable of dramatic storytelling. This specific example resides in the distinguished graphic arts collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Owing to their historical significance and wide circulation, high-resolution reproductions of these influential prints are frequently available in the public domain for study and appreciation worldwide.