The Wedding of Stephen Beckingham and Mary Cox

The Wedding of Stephen Beckingham and Mary Cox by William Hogarth is an oil on canvas painting executed in 1729. This work captures an intimate and formal marriage ceremony, documenting the central figures, Stephen Beckingham and Mary Cox, amidst a gathering of men and women within a stately interior. Hogarth’s technique emphasizes clear definition and detailed observation, characteristic of his early career documenting contemporary English social life.

Painted during the Georgian era, this piece provides valuable visual documentation of 18th-century English customs and attire. The painting is notable for its depiction of a specific social event, contrasting with the generalized moralizing narratives that would define much of Hogarth’s later work. Here, the artist focuses on the dignity and formality of the wedding, using the elaborate interior setting to emphasize the social standing of the participants. The arrangement of the figures highlights the ritual nature of the event, positioning the bride and groom at the center, surrounded by the assembled guests.

This canvas is classified as a canonical example of 18th-century English narrative art and resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the age of the work, high-quality reproductions and prints of this important Hogarth painting are frequently made available, sometimes through public domain initiatives. The Wedding of Stephen Beckingham and Mary Cox remains a significant example of how Hogarth observed and meticulously recorded the complexities of contemporary weddings and domestic life.